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Published on: July 6, 2013
Antimutagenic activity of Terminalia chebula (myroblan) in Salmonella typhimurium
1Department of Botanical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.
Abstract:
Antimutagenicity of water and chloroform extracts of dried myroblan Terminalia chebula was determined against two direct acting mutagens, sodium azide and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in strains TA100 and TA1535, and TA97a and TA98 of Salmonella typhimurium respectively and S9-dependent mutagen 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) in TA97a, TA98 and TA100 strains. Water extract reduced NPD as well as 2-AF induced his+ revertants significantly but did not have any perceptible effect against sodium azide included his+ revertants in TA100 and TA1535 strains of S. typhimurium. The pre-incubation studies, where the extract was incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min with the said mutagen prior to plating, enhanced the inhibitory effect. Autoclaving the water extract reduced the inhibitory effect but the reduction in the effect was not significant. No inhibitory effect was observed in any of the strains and against any of the test mutagens with chloroform extract.
Insights
The water extract of Terminalia chebula showed antimutagenic properties against specific mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium strains. Chloroform extract did not exhibit significant inhibitory effects on mutagenicity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Terminalia chebula (myroblan) is a plant with a history of medicinal use.
- Understanding its antimutagenic potential is crucial for evaluating its health benefits.
- Mutagenicity testing in bacterial systems is a standard method for assessing DNA damage and potential carcinogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimutagenic activity of water and chloroform extracts of Terminalia chebula.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these extracts against various mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium strains.
- To determine the influence of pre-incubation and autoclaving on the antimutagenic effect.
Main Methods:
- Antimutagenicity assays were performed using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA97a, and TA98.
- Direct-acting mutagens (sodium azide, 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine) and an S9-dependent mutagen (2-aminofluorene) were used.
- Water and chloroform extracts were tested, with variations including pre-incubation and autoclaving.
Main Results:
- The water extract significantly reduced mutagenicity induced by 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine and 2-aminofluorene.
- No significant antimutagenic effect was observed against sodium azide with the water extract.
- The chloroform extract showed no inhibitory effect against any of the tested mutagens and strains.
Conclusions:
- Terminalia chebula water extract possesses selective antimutagenic properties.
- The chloroform extract of Terminalia chebula does not demonstrate antimutagenic activity in this assay.
- Further research may explore the active compounds and mechanisms behind the observed antimutagenicity.
