Modulatory Action of Vitamin C on the Genotoxicity of an Anti Cancer Drug (Etoposide) Tested in the Wing Spot of Drosophila

This work deals with genotoxicity of an antineoplastic drug, etoposide and its modulation by Vitamin C in the somatic wingspot cells of Drosophila. Four sub-lethal doses of etoposide (0.5 mM, 0.25 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.05 mM) and two doses of Vitamin C (50 mM, 100 mM) were selected for the purpose. Etoposide was found to be genotoxic at all tested doses in this assay. It was found that Vitamin C (100 mM) caused significant reduction of wing spots when admitted before, along with or after treatment with any doses of etoposide. The possible causes of induction of wingspots and modulatory action of Vitamin C have been discussed.