Abstract
Aim of the study The aim of this paper was to summarize the results of our investigations on the in vitro genotoxic as well as antigenotoxic effects of a great number of selected South African traditional medicinal plants. Materials and methods Investigations of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of selected plants were conducted with the bacterial Ames, Umu-C and VITOTOX ® tests, and with the cytochalasin B micronucleus test and alkaline comet assay in human white blood cells. Results A number of extracts were found to have genotoxic properties. Amongst the genotoxic plant extracts, especially methanol extracts of Helichrysum simillimum DC. (Asteraceae) should be highlighted. On the other hand, some plant extracts also showed antimutagenic potential. Here Bauhinia galpinii N.E.Br. (Fabaceae) and especially Chlerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke (= Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb.; Lamiaceae) appear to have antimutagenic properties. Conclusion The safe use of Helichrysum similimum should be questioned and further investigations on its mutagenicity and overall biological properties should be encouraged. Antimutagenic properties of especially Bauhinia galpinii and Rotheca myricoides are considered of particular interest as it may be assumed that these antimutagenic natural substances are able to lower the cancer risk from everyday exposures to environmental mutagens as well as to mutagenic pharmaceuticals.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.