Environmental Damage to DNA and the Protective Effects of Phytochemicals (CRC Focus)

Environmental Damage to DNA and the Protective Effects of Phytochemicals provides information on the toxicity of natural as well as synthetic chemicals in the living systems. These can lead to DNA damage and the emergence of serious consequences or manifestations causing varied health hazards. In addition, the ten chapters of the book reflect on the possible applications of plants or plant extracts to impart protection for living cells from the xenobiotics-mediated DNA damage. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the many essential topics in the subject including: Environmental factors and DNA damage Molecular mechanisms associated with DNA damage by various environmental (Physical, Chemical and Biological) factors Synergistic effects of environmental factors Phytochemicals acting both as DNA protectants and genotoxicants Experimental models for the study of the genotoxic potential of environmental factors and protection by phytochemicals This book connects readers who possess a life sciences background to the current understanding, concept and mechanisms involved in environmental-factors-mediated DNA damage. Scientific terms are introduced, defined, described and placed appropriately in the text. The protective effect of some plant extracts/phytochemicals has also been included. Environmental Damage to DNA and the Protective Effects of Phytochemicals is intended to cater the need of BSc, MSc and research students who are striving to discover the mechanism(s) associated with protection of DNA by plant-based chemicals. This is the first edition of our book and the valuable suggestions and comments from the readers are solicited. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Authors’ biographies Chapter 1 Introduction to the environmental factors and DNA damage Introduction Sources of environmental DNA-damaging agents Types of environmental DNA-damaging agents (1) Physical DNA-damaging agents (2) Chemical DNA-damaging agents (3) Biological DNA-damaging agents Types of DNA damage Oxidation of bases Hydrolysis of bases Alkylation of bases Mismatch of bases Bulky adduct formation Conclusion References Chapter 2 Molecular mechanisms of physical environmental factors as DNA-damage agents with special reference to (A) Radiations and (B) Temperature Introduction Mechanisms of action Double-strand breaks (DSBs) of DNA mediated by UV-radiation UV-induced pyrimidine photoproducts UV-induced purine photoproducts Heat stress-induced single-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs) Heat stress-induced double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) Conclusion References Chapter 3 Effects of chemical environmental factors (both natural and anthropogenic) on DNA and their modes of action. A. Organic factors (pesticides, dyes) B. Inorganic Factors (Heavy metals) Introduction Organic factors and their action on DNA Inorganic factors and their actions on DNA Conclusion References Chapter 4 Biological factors causing DNA damage. A. Plant-based molecules. B. Animal-based molecules Introduction Detection of DNA damage Mechanism of plant-based molecules as DNA-damaging agent Mechanism of animal-based molecules as DNA-damaging agents Conclusion References Chapter 5 Synergistic effects of environmental factors on DNA damage. A. Introduction to Synergism B. Synergistic effects C. Mechanism of actions Introduction to synergism Metabolism(s) of environmental xenobiotics Synergistic effects Conclusion References Chapter 6 Introduction to phytochemicals and their actions on DNA. A. DNA-damaging action. B. DNA-protective function Introduction to phytochemicals Phytochemicals Alkaloids Tannins Phytosteroids Terpenoids Cardiac Glycosides Source of different phytochemicals Phytochemicals and their modes of action Detrimental role of phytochemicals and their modes of action Conclusion References Chapter 7 Phytochemicals as DNA protectants and genotoxicants A. Phytochemicals as genotoxicants. B. Plant extract as DNA protectants. C. Isolated compounds as DNA protectants Introduction A. Phytochemicals as genotoxicants Isolated compounds as genotoxicants B. Plant extracts as DNA protectants C. Isolated phytocompounds as DNA protectants Conclusion References Chapter 8 Role of phytochemicals in protection of DNA from damage by different environmental factors. A. Physical factors (Thermal and radiation). B. Chemical factors (Organic and inorganic). C. Biological factors (Plants and animals) Introduction Physical factors (thermal and radiations) induced DNA assaults and amelioration by plant products Chemicals (organic and inorganic) mediated DNA assaults and amelioration by plant extracts Amelioration of DNA damage caused by biological agents Conclusion References Chapter 9 DNA protective and genotoxic potential of environmental factors: Experimental models for the study Introduction Environmental exposure to genotoxicants Genotoxicity biomarkers Cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay Comet assay Experimental models used for study of genotoxicity Bacteria Plant models Lower plants Fungi Algae Higher plants Animal models Lower animals Invertebrates Mussels Earthworm Drosophila Vertebrates Fish Amphibians Birds Rodents Humans Experimental models for study of DNA protective potential Conclusion References Chapter 10 DNA damage: Overview, conclusion, and future perspective Overview Causes of DNA damage Conclusion and future perspective References Index "Environmental damage to DNA and the protective effects of phytochemicals provides information on the toxicity of natural as well as synthetic chemicals in the living systems leading to DNA damage and emergence of serious consequences or manifestations causing varied health hazards. In addition, the book containing a total of ten chapters reflects on to the possible applications of plants or plant extracts imparting protection of the living cells from the xenobiotics mediated DNA damage. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the many essential topics in the subject including: Environmental factors and DNA damage Molecular mechanisms associated to DNA damage by various environmental ( Physical, Chemical and Biological) factors Synergistic effects of environmental factors Phytochemicals acting both as DNA protectants and genotoxicants Experimental models for study of genotoxic potential of environmental factors and protection by phytochemicals Most scientific terms have been defined, introduced, described and placed appropriately in the text when they are earlier introduced or described. The chief aim of this particular book is to connect the readers from all walks of life sciences and to have current understanding, concept and mechanisms involved in environmental factors mediated DNA damage. The protective effect of some plant extracts / phytochemicals has also been included. This book is intended to cater the need of BSc, MSc and research students who are striving to discover the mechanism(s) associated to protection of DNA by plant based chemicals. This is the first edition of our book and the valuable suggestions and comments from the readers are solicited"-- Provided by publisher