Background and purpose: Myricetin as a natural flavonoids in tea and coffee, has extensive pharmacological effects. Endosulfan is mutagenic and is capable of inducing genetic damage in human blood cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of myricetin against DNA damage caused by endosulfan on human blood lymphocytes.

Materials and methods: Blood samples after 3 hours of incubation with different concentrations of myricetin, were incubated with Mμ10 endosulfan for 24 hours. Then, to evaluate the production of micronucleus in binucleated lymphocytes, the slides were prepared and were evaluated by light microscopy. The mean values were compared using PRISM and ANOVA (posttest: Tukey).

Results: The incubation of blood samples with Endosulfan induced additional genotoxicity in lymphocytes, and Myristin pretreatment significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency (P<0.01). The results showed the effective role of Myristin as protective agent in reducing the genotoxicity of the pesticide Endosulfan.

Conclusion: Myristin appeared to scavenge and trap free radicals to prevent the damage induced by ROS. It is a natural compound and is considered to be safe, therefore, it can be used as a supplement to protect people exposed to chemical or environmental hazards.