Determination of genetic damage induced by Azadirachta  indica extract in human lymphocytes

Jhossleiny Cristina  Meza Ojeda; Nelson Alfonso Vega Contreras; Seir Antonio Salazar Mercado

doi:10.22490/24629448.10144

Vol. 23 No. 45 (2025): 2.

Published 2025-07-01

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Research Article (before OJS)

Determination of genetic damage induced by Azadirachta indica extract in human lymphocytes

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.10144

Jhossleiny Cristina Meza Ojeda Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander

Nelson Alfonso Vega Contreras Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander

Seir Antonio Salazar Mercado Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander

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Abstract
References

Objective. To evaluate the genotoxic effect of a Neem-based biopesticide (Azadirachta indica) on human lymphocytes, aiming to assess potential health risks for farmers and support the safe use of natural-origin compounds in pest control.

Methods. Neem seed extract was obtained using the Soxhlet extraction method and formulated into three treat ment concentrations: C1 (0.001 mM), C2 (0.0015 mM), and C3 (0.002 mM). Hydrogen peroxide was used as a positive control and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a negative control. Human lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of a healthy 25-year old volunteer. Genotoxicity was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) or Comet Test, employing the sandwich technique for cell protection and fixation. Samples were stained with GelRed, visualized under a 40x objective using an Optika Italy B-510 series microscope, and analyzed with Comet Score™ software. The percentage of DNA in the comet tail (%DNA in tail) was used as the primary damage indicator.

Results. The analysis showed a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage. Treatments C2 and C3 exhibited significantly higher DNA tail percentages, indicating greater genotoxicity com pared to C1 and the negative control.

Conclusions. The genotoxic effect of Azadirachta indica extract on human lymphocytes increases with concentration, suggesting a direct re lationship between Neem biopesticide dosage and DNA damage. While Neem is a natural alternative, careful concentration control is essential to ensure user safety.

keywords: Biopesticide, Comet test, Electrophoresis, Neem, Toxicity

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Meza Ojeda, J. C., Vega Contreras, N. A., & Salazar Mercado, S. A. (2025). Determination of genetic damage induced by Azadirachta indica extract in human lymphocytes. NOVA Biomedical Sciences Journal, 23(45), 27-39. https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.10144

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Determination of genetic damage induced by Azadirachta indica extract in human lymphocytes

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