d-Limonene and Cineole Inhibition of Benzo(a) pyrene-Induced Mutagenicity and Lipid Peroxidation

The present study was designed to compare the effects of d-1 imonene and cineole on the benzo(a) pyrene (BP)-induced mutagenicity, BP metabol ism and lipid peroxidation. Modified Ames assay was employed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of d-1 imonene and cineole on the BP-induced mutagenici ty. The number of revertant-bearing wet Is was decreased by 44∼77% in the presence of both BP and d-1 imonene compared with that of BP alone wherease cineole decreased the nutter of revertant-bearing wet Is by 28∼45% at the concentrations between 2${\mu}$M and 2mM. d-Limonene suppressed BP metsbolism by 16, 26 and 55% at the same concentrations. The EC$\_$50/ values for d-1 imonene and cineole in inhibiting lipid peroxidation were 2.0 mM and 16mM respectively, as assayed by thiobarbituric acid method. The pre sent study showed that d-1 imonene and cineole have common ant imutagenic effects although d-1 imonene appeared to be more effective than cineole in suppressing mutation and lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that the antimutagenic effects of d-1 imonene and cineole nay be associated with alternation in enzyme activities and with inhibition of lipid pero xidation.