Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavandula stoechas L. and Tilia cordata Mill. on in vitro Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigation of in
 vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of infusion and decoction aqueous
 extracts obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas
 L. and Tilia cordata Mill. on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. For this purpose, lymphocytes taken from 3
 females, were treated with aqueous extracts of R. officinalis (1.5 and 3
 mg/ml),  L. stoechas (0,4 and 1,2
 mg/ml) and T. cordata (1 mg/ml and 3 mg/ml) for 48 hours. PBS was used
 as negative control and Mitomycin C (MMC) (0,25 μg/ml) was used as positive
 control in experiments. Cytotoxic effect of extracts on lymphocytes was
 determined by calculating mitotic index. Also, chromosome aberrations
 micronucleus formations were determined. 
 
 
 
 
 All extracts considerably decreased the
 cell division in lymphocytes depending on the increased concentration in
 comparison with control groups (p<0,01). Also cells in metaphase decreased.
 Thus, no chromosomal aberration was observed in lymphocytes. However, extract
 treatments induced the formation of micronucleus in lymphocytes when compared
 to control groups (p<0,01). 3 mg/ml decoction extracts of L. stoechas and
 T. cordata showed the highest cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes, and the
 highest genotoxic effect appeared after 48 h treatment with 1.2 mg/ml decoction
 extract of L. stoechas.