Cytogenotoxic and mutagenic profiling of cashew nut shell liquids and cardanol

Abstract Background Cashew and its compounds have many important biological effects. This study is aimed at evaluating genotoxic and mutagenic effects of natural cashew nut shell liquid (nCNSL) and industrial cashew nut shell liquid (iCNSL) and a major component of iCNSL called Cardanol. Methods Test samples were undergone for comet assay and micronucleus tests in Swiss albino mice. Animals were orally treated with 17.37, 34.75 and 69.5 mg/kg of the test substances taking distilled water (10 mL/kg; DW) and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg) as negative (NC) and positive (PC) controls, respectively. Results The results suggest that nCNSL at 34.7 and 69.5 mg/kg and Cardanol at all tested doses induced significant genotoxic effects to the female mouse bone marrow cells, while iCNSL did not. Both nCNSL and iCNSL as well as Cardanol did not show mutagenic and cytotoxic effects. All the test samples also showed DNA repair capacity at low dose. Conclusion Cashew nut shell liquids and Cardanol showed genotoxic effects at high dose, but DNA repair, non-mutagenic and non-cytotoxic effects at low dose.