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Mutagenic activity of Mintostachys mollis in AHH1 lymphoblast cells
1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Abstract:
Cultured AHH1 human lymphoblast cells were exposed to an extract of Mintostachys mollis, which is used as a medicinal plant and preservative in Peru, to detect its mutagenic activity. A three-day exposure to concentrations of 1, 10, 30 and 50 micrograms/ml resulted in induced mutant fraction of 1.02, 1.79, 2.21 and 3.80 mutations per million cells per day, expressed as 6-Thioguanine resistance. A concentration of 10 micrograms/ml induced 11.9 times the spontaneous mutant fraction of AHH1 cells. The doubling dose determined to be 838 ng/ml. A concentration of 30 micrograms/ml of this compound resembled the induced rate of 1 microM benzo (alpha) pryene.
Insights
The extract of Mintostachys mollis, a Peruvian medicinal plant, showed mutagenic activity in human cells. Higher concentrations increased mutations, with 30 µg/ml mimicking the mutagenic effect of benzo(α)pyrene.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mintostachys mollis is a plant used in Peruvian traditional medicine and as a preservative.
- Assessing the mutagenic potential of medicinal plants is crucial for public health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mutagenic activity of Mintostachys mollis extract on cultured human lymphoblast cells.
- To determine the dose-response relationship of the extract's mutagenic effects.
Main Methods:
- Cultured AHH1 human lymphoblast cells were exposed to varying concentrations (1-50 µg/ml) of Mintostachys mollis extract for three days.
- Mutagenic activity was assessed by measuring the induced mutant fraction, specifically 6-Thioguanine resistance.
- The doubling dose and comparison to a known mutagen, benzo(α)pyrene, were determined.
Main Results:
- Exposure to Mintostachys mollis extract induced a dose-dependent increase in the mutant fraction.
- A concentration of 10 µg/ml increased the spontaneous mutant fraction by 11.9 times.
- A concentration of 30 µg/ml exhibited mutagenic activity comparable to 1 µM benzo(α)pyrene.
Conclusions:
- Mintostachys mollis extract possesses mutagenic properties in human lymphoblast cells.
- The study highlights the importance of toxicological evaluation for traditional medicinal plants.
- Further research is warranted to identify the specific mutagenic compounds within Mintostachys mollis.