Prof. Dr. Stephka Chankova

Lilium candidum L. extract (LE) is well known in folk medicine for the treatment of burns, ulcers, inflammations and for healing wounds. This work aims to clarify whether the genotoxic potential of the radiomimetic antibiotic zeocin (Zeo) could be modulated by LE. Our results indicate that LE exerts no cytotoxic, DNA-damaging and clastogenic activity in in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Pisum sativum L. and Hordeum vulgare L. test systems over a broad concentration range. Weak but statistically significant clastogenic effects due to the induction of micronuclei and chromosome aberrations have been observed in H. vulgare L. after treatment with 200 and 300 μg/mL LE. To discriminate protective from adverse action of LE different experimental designs have been used. Our results demonstrate that the treatment with mixtures of LE and Zeo causes an increase in the level of DNA damage, micronuclei and “metaphases with chromatid aberrations” (MwA). Clear evidence has been also obtained indicating that pretreatment with LE given 4 h before the treatment with Zeo accelerates the rejoining kinetics of Zeo-induced DNA damage in P. sativum L. and C. reinhardtii, and can decrease clastogenic effect of Zeo measured as frequencies of micronuclei and MwA in H. vulgare L. Here, we show for the first time that LE can modulate the genotoxic effects of zeocin. The molecular mode of action strongly depends on the experimental design and varies from synergistic to protective effect (adaptive response–AR). Our results also revealed that LE-induced AR to zeocin involves up-regulation of DSB rejoining in C. reinhardtii and P. sativum L. cells.

26 September 2011

Book Chapter

Micro-algae as a Model System for Studying of Genotype Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Adaptive Response

Stephka Chankova

Nadezhda Yurina

About Me

Prof. Stephka Chankova, PhD, IBER, BAS; SU, “St. Kl. Ohridski”, Biol. Fac., Msc, Hydrobiol; PhD, Institute of Genetics "Acad. D. Kostoff", BAS, Genetics; Inst. Molec. Biology, St Peterburg State Univ., Mol. Biol, Ecol.; INETI, Lisbon, Portugal, NATO; Mol. Biol, Ecol.; Current position: 2015–retired, till now - supernumerary professor at IBER, BAS; Previous positions: Head Section “Env. Mut. and Genetic Risk Assess.”, IBER, BAS; Head Depart. “Ecosystem Research, Environmental Risk Assessment and Conservation Biology”, IBER, BAS; 2011-Prof. Genetics, IBER; Head “ Envinr. Mut. Group, IBER, BAS; Guest Prof., University of Renne, France; Scientific Secretary , CLGE, BAS; Assoc. Prof. CLGE, BAS, Environ. Mut. Group; Assist. Prof., Inst. Gen."Acad. D. Kostoff “, BAS; Membership of professional societies and awards received: Head of Section “Biology”, Union of Scientist in Bulgaria-at present; Proxy section "Biology" in the General Assembly of the Union of Scientist in Bulgaria-at present; Member of Expert Council for Assessment of Priority Substances-MEWB, Bulgaria-at present; Member of Risk Assessment Committee-European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Helsinki, EC–till 2020; Diploma and Plaquette, International Union of Radio-ecology; “Golden book” Council of the European Scientific and Cultural Community, for contribution to Bulgarian Science; Jubilee diploma for active and beneficial participation in the activities of USB, 2014; 2019; Honor member of Union of Bulgarian Scientists, 2024

Prof. Dr. Stephka Chankova

Prof. Dr. Stephka Chankova

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About Me