Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activities of <i>Psittacanthus calyculatus</i> (Loranthaceae) leaves water extract

Abstract

Mistletoe (<i>Psittacanthus calyculatus</i>) is used for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Samples of leaves from <i>P. calyculatus</i> were collected in April of 2019, and prepared an aqueous extract. The extract was lyophilized, and its polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins content were determined. Then, concentrations of lyophilized extract were prepared (5, 50 and 100 ppm) and assessed their antigenotoxic, antimutagenic and genotoxicity activities in human lymphocytes were evaluated using the comet assay system. The dry aqueous extract contained 73.54 mg of polyphenols AGE per g sample, 39.37 mg of flavonoid CE per g, and 0.1 mg of anthocyanins Cy-3-gluc E per g. No significant genotoxic activity was observed, with the exception of the concentration of 100 ppm at 10 hours of exposure (p <0.05). There was also significant (p <0.05) antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activity (p <0.05). Clearly, low concentrations and short-duration exposures to lyophilized <i>P. calyculatus</i> do not induce genetic damage; however, high concentrations are genotoxic. The antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects were due to a protective effect not only against induced DNA damage but also against basal genetic damage.