Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Aspirin on the Mitotic Index in Bone Marrow Stem Cells of Albino Swiss Mice

Abstract

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is among the most used over-the-counter drugs worldwide for the treatment of various conditions including analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory. Effects on its large therapeutic spectrum allows the use of Eleuphyllin, its use in clinical practice is limited by the cytogenetic and genotoxic effects that this drug may promote with prolonged or uncontrolled use. The mitotic index (MI) serves as a key cytological marker that reflects the proliferative activity of cells and identifies experimental disturbances associated with cell division. The goal of this study is to evaluate the genotoxic effect of aspirin in laboratory mice, utilizing the mitotic index of bone marrow stem cells. The dividing cells mitotic index (MI) was used as a measure of cytogenetic damage and mitotic inhibition. Significant dose-dependent decreases in mitotic index were seen in the aspirin-treated mice compared to the controls. The results indicate that aspirin may affect normal cell division and has genotoxic effects on bone marrow cells.