Annatto and DNA damage in human liver cells
What it found
Annatto protected human liver cells from DNA damage caused by two chemicals, but not a third.
This was seen in lab tests on cells, not in people.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
No DNA damage alone
When applied to cells on its own, annatto did not cause DNA damage at doses up to 10 microg/ml.
Protection against two chemicals
In lab tests, annatto reduced DNA damage caused by two of the chemicals. This protection worked when the cells received annatto before or at the same time as the damaging chemical.
No effect on third chemical
Annatto did not reduce DNA damage caused by the third chemical, no matter when it was added to the cells.
Cell survival at higher doses
Doses above 10 microg/ml lowered the number of living cells in the lab tests.
What the authors conclude
- They found that annatto can protect cells from certain types of DNA damage in lab tests.
- Their results suggest this protection depends on which harmful chemical is involved and when the annatto is given.
- The authors say these findings point to possible uses for annatto in preventing cell damage.
How it was done
Annatto is a natural food colouring rich in carotenoids and has been reported to work as an antioxidant. Scientists wanted to find out if it could also help prevent cell damage that leads to cancer.
They tested annatto on human liver tumour cells grown in the lab. They exposed the cells to three different DNA-damaging chemicals, adding annatto before, during or after the exposure. They also tested annatto alone at various doses.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on cells, so they cannot show what happens when people eat annatto in food.
- Cell studies cannot prove that annatto prevents disease in the human body.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Campus Universitário da USP, Brasil
The paper
- Title
- Effect of annatto on micronuclei induction by direct and indirect mutagens in HepG2 cells
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Barcelos GR, Angeli JP, Serpeloni JM, Rocha BA, Mantovani MS, Antunes LM (2009). Effect of annatto on micronuclei induction by direct and indirect mutagens in HepG2 cells. Environmental and molecular mutagenesis. doi:10.1002/em.20494PubMed 19402158DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error