Evidence of the Genotoxic Effect of Aloin on Earth Worms Eisenia Andrei

The aim of this work is to investigate the genotoxic effect and related gene expression in the worms Eisenia andrei exposed to four sublethal concentrations of aloin crude extracts (10, 50, 100 and 200 g/kg soils) for 7 and 14 days.
First, worm’s growth after the exposure periods was assessed. Micronucleus (MN) frequency in worm’s coelomocytes was evaluated for the potential genotoxic effect of aloin. The gene expressions regulations were evaluated with the genes involved in DNA repair: the P21 and topoisomerase, The Lysosomal/cytoplasm ratio was scored as general biomarker of cytotoxicity.
Our results demonstrate a significant increase in the MN frequency along the aloin increasing concentrations associated with a significant reduction in worm’s growth. Similarly Lysosomal/Cytoplasm ration was highly affected by aloin particularly at higher concentrations and after 14 days of exposure. The gene expression pattern of P21 and Topoisomerase was markedly up-regulated as low concentrations and down–regulated at higher concentrations.
Our data should be particularly considered in view of the toxic effect of aloe vera wastes mainly at industrial level.