An Assessment of Genotoxic Damage in Exfoliated Buccal Cells Using Saliva as a Tool

Introduction: Exfoliated buccal cells serve as an ideal site for genotoxic events since they are the first cells to come in contact with anything ingested or inhaled. Micronuclei (MNs) are also known as Howell–Jolly bodies and are a result of some aneugenic and clastogenic events. The aim of the study was to assess the severity of genotoxic damage in the exfoliated cells of participants consuming smokeless tobacco and its products and those diagnosed with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Material and Methods: Individuals addicted to alcohol, pleasure drugs, or smoked forms of tobacco were excluded from the study. Saliva was collected and centrifuged; smear was prepared using the pellet, while the supernatant was used to extract DNA. The cells collected were stained with Feulgen fast green and acridine orange. Results: A progressive increase in the number of MNs was observed from the control group to those who consumed smokeless tobacco and their products, while the frequency of MNs was found to be the highest in participants with Oral Submucous Fibrosis. Discussion and Conclusion: Micronucleus assay using saliva as a tool can be useful in detecting early genotoxic damage.