The Beauty and the Toxic Beast: Use of Comet Assay to Study Antigenotoxicity of Natural Ingredients

Abstract

The natural cosmetics market has grown since consumers became conscious of natural-based ingredients. A significant number of cosmetics have noxious and chemically potent substances. Thus, the use of natural and organic cosmetics has become increasingly important. An intense investigation into the benefits fruits and plants can bring to our health is required. A healthy lifestyle can reduce these problems, including the consumption or use of substances that protect the genome through various mechanisms that reduce DNA damage. Genotoxicological studies are essential to know the threats to the genome and health, and antigenotoxicological studies are the answer to minimise the instability of the genome. Natural ingredients such as Almond (Prunus dulcis), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Olives (Olea europaea), and Grapes (Vitis vinifera) have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities and to hold therapeutic promise. They are the most common ingredients in the Trás-os-Montes region (Portugal). This study aimed to demonstrate, in vivo, the genotoxicological effects of Elderberry, Almonds, Olives, and Grapes in Drosophila melanogaster using the Comet assay.