Protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin against acrylamide toxicity

Human lymphocytes as well as zebrafish embryos were used to study the toxicity of acrylamide, and the intervention effects of the dietary antioxidants (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin have been examined. The alkaline comet assay revealed that acrylamide (1, 5, 10 mmol/L) had dose-response effects on basic DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to acrylamide resulted in decrease of hatching rate, and in increases of mortality and teratogenicity. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin reduced DNA damage and protected zebrafish embryos in the growth and development.