THE ANTIOXIDANT AND GENOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O IN VITRO

Boron is known as a trace element for animals and humans. Sodium borates are used in some cosmetics, detergents, and chemicals of photography, adhesives and textile compounds. It was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potentials and genotoxic risk of sodium borate (Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O) on human whole blood cultures in the extent of this study (n=5). Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O was administrated at wide range concentrations (0-1280 mu g/ml) to cultured human whole blood samples. The sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN) and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) assays were performed to determine genotoxic effect. In addition, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were measured as biochemical parameters. Our results clearly demonstrated that all tested concentrations of Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O were not mutagenic. Moreover, Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O showed antioxidant activities especially at low concentrations (< 40 mg/L) and the determined TOS levels did not change at all the concentrations of Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O. As a result, our data clearly demonstrated that Na sub(2)B sub(4)O sub(7).10H sub(2)O is non-genotoxic and it has a remarkable antioxidant potential in vitro.