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Genotoxicity of plant extracts
V M Vargas1, R R Guidobono, J A Henriques
1Departamento do Meio Ambiente, Secretaria da Saúde e Meio Ambiente, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Seven Brazilian medicinal plants were tested for mutagenic activity using the Ames test. Achyrocline satureoides, Baccharis anomala, and Luehea divaricata extracts showed mutagenic potential with metabolic activation.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Traditional Brazilian medicine utilizes various plant species.
- Assessing the safety and potential mutagenicity of these popular remedies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen aqueous extracts of seven Brazilian medicinal plants for mutagenic activity.
- To identify plants with potential genotoxic risks.
Main Methods:
- Aqueous extracts of seven plant species were tested using the Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test).
- Mutagenic activity was assessed with and without metabolic activation (microsomal activation).
Main Results:
- Achyrocline satureoides, Baccharis anomala, and Luehea divaricata extracts exhibited mutagenic activity.
- The mutagenicity of A. satureoides was confirmed, with its metabolites also inducing prophage and SOS response in other assays.
Conclusions:
- Certain Brazilian medicinal plants, including A. satureoides, B. anomala, and L. divaricata, possess mutagenic properties.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand the specific compounds responsible for the observed mutagenicity and their implications for human health.