An evaluation of 55 commercial plant extracts in the Ames mutagenicity test

55 commercial phytopharmaceuticals (extracts and tinctures) from 44 plant species were evaluated for mutagenic potential in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity test (Ames assay), utilizing tester strains TA98 and TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium with and without S9 mix from induced rat liver microsomes. Weak activities were detected after exposure of the bacteria to Alchemillae tinctura, Centaurii extractum, Hippocastani extractum and Myrtilli extractum. Moderate effects were observed with Crataegi extractum, Echinaceae angustifoliae extractum, Hyperici tinctura, Rutae tinctura and Trifolii fibrini extractum and tinctura. Quercetin was detected by TLC in all extracts with mutagenic activity except in Echinaceae angustifoliae and Centaurii extractum. From this study and earlier results we suggest that quercetin is possibly the main mutagenic principle in the following phytopharmaceuticals: Alchemillae tinctura, Cratagei extractum, Hippocastani extractum, Hyperici tinctura, Myrtilli extractum, Trifolii fibrini extractum and Trifolii fibrini tinctura.