Antimutagenic mechanisms of Phyllanthus orbicularis when hydrogen peroxide is tested using Salmonella assay

Phyllanthus orbicularis is a medicinal plant, endemic to Cuba, whose aqueous extract has proven antiviral properties and antimutagenic activities against aromatic amines and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, this plant extract presents antioxidant activity. In this paper, using the Salmonella assay with the experimental approaches of co-incubation, pre- and post-treatments, it is shown that the P. orbicularis extract protects bacterial cells from oxidative damage and mutation by some intracellular mechanism, irrespective of its antioxidant activity.