Antimutagenic Activity Research Articles

Theobromacacao Criollo var. Beans: Biological Properties and Chemical Profile.

Theobroma cacao provides precious products such as polyphenol-rich beans that are useful for nutraceutical purposes. The geographical area may influence the chemical composition of raw cocoa beans in terms of the polyphenols and biological qualities of the products. This work aimed to investigate the biological properties and the chemical composition of two different samples of Criollo var. cocoa raw beans coming from two areas (Indonesia; Peru). Beans underwent biphasic extraction obtaining lipophilic and hydroalcoholic extracts. The extracts were tested for antiradical, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic effects. Cell viability inhibition toward breast, gastric/esophageal colorectal adenocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma human cell lines was evaluated. Extracts were chemically investigated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF MS/MS). Results showed that the Indonesian bean hydroalcoholic extracts were able to scavenge 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cation radical better than the Peruvian hydroalcoholic extracts (ECs50: 72.63 vs. 322.20 μg/mL). Extracts showed antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity. The viability inhibitory effect on breast and hepatic cancer cells was reached only for the Indonesian hydroalcoholic extracts at hundreds of μg/mL. Phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids, hydroxycinnamoyl aminoacids conjugates, and procyanidin compounds were found mainly in the hydroalcoholic extracts, whereas fatty acids and lyso-phospholipids were found mainly in lipophilic fractions. Fatty acid and (epi)catechins appeared to be affected by different environmental conditions of the geographical areas.

Toxicological and Epigenetic Studies of Two Types of Ale Beer, Tyrosol and Iso-Alpha Humulone

Although many benefits drawn from beer consumption are claimed, the epidemiological records are contradictory with respect to cancer prevention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible health-related activities involving genome safety and the ageing processes of two types of lyophilised ale beers (blond and stout), as well as two of their bioactive compounds (tyrosol and iso-alpha humulone). A multipurpose trial set of in vivo toxicity, antitoxicity, mutagenicity, antimutagenicity, lifespan and healthspan assays using Drosophila melanogaster were used. In parallel, several in vitro assays were designed using the cancer cell line HL-60 in order to establish the possible chemopreventive activity of the selected substances, where epigenetic modulation of DNA methylation changes, clastogenic activity and tumour cell inhibition growth were evaluated. The safety of the four substances was confirmed: lyophilised blond ale beer (LBAB), lyophilised stout ale beer (LSAB), tyrosol and iso-alpha humulone were neither toxic nor genotoxic. Moreover, all substances, except tyrosol, revealed the ability to protect individual genomes against oxidative radicals and to exert antimutagenic activity against the genotoxin hydrogen peroxide. With respect to the degenerative process indicators of lifespan and healthspan, tyrosol was the only compound that did not exert any influence on the life extension of Drosophila; LBAB induced a significant lifespan extension in D. melanogaster; LSAB and its distinctive compound iso-alpha humulone induced a reduction in longevity. The in vitro assays showed the cytotoxic activity of LBAB, LSAB and tyrosol against HL-60 cells. Moreover, proapoptotic DNA fragmentation or DNA strand breakage was observed for both types of beers and iso-alpha humulone at different concentrations. Furthermore, the lyophilised ale beers and tyrosol exhibited an increasing genome-wide methylation status, while iso-alpha humulone exhibited a demethylation status in repetitive cancer cell sequences. Although the biological activities assigned to beer consumption cannot be linked to any specific molecule/element due to the complexity of the phenolic profile, as well as the multifactor brewing process, the results obtained let us propose lyophilised ale beers as safe potential nutraceutical beverages when consumed in moderate amounts. The prevention of toxicity and genetic oxidative damage, as well as the induction of tumor cell death and modulation of the methylation status, are the key activities of beer that were shown in the present research.

Improvement of caffeic acid biotransformation into para-hydroxybenzoic acid by Candida albicans CI-24 via gamma irradiation and model-based optimization.

Para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) has great potential in biological applications due to its putative antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its antimicrobial activity in the face of the radically increasing number of multidrug-resistant pathogens. This is in addition to its antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiestrogenic, and antiplatelet aggregating activities. In this study, an approximate sixfold increase in the production of PHBA was achieved via biotransformation of caffeic acid by Candida albicans. The improvement was performed in two steps: first, through mutation by gamma irradiation (5KGy dose), resulting in the recovery of a mutant (CI-24), which produced approximately triple the amount of PHBA produced by the wild-type isolate. Then, biotransformation by this mutant was further optimized via response surface methodology model-based optimization. The maximum PHBA production (7.47mg/mL) was obtained in a fermentation medium composed of 1% w/v yeast extract as a nitrogen source, with an initial pH of 6.6, incubated at 28°C at an agitation rate of 250rpm. To further enhance the performance and economics ofthe process, cells of the CI-24 mutant were immobilized in calcium alginate beads and could retain an equivalent biotransformation capacity after three successive biotransformation cycles.

The Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acids on Cancer

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are distinctive polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are present in food produced by ruminant animals and they are accumulated in seeds of certain plants. These naturally occurring substances have demonstrated to have anti-carcinogenic activity. Their potential effect to inhibit cancer has been shown in vivo and in vitro studies. In this review, we present the multiple effects of CLA isomers on cancer development such as anti-tumor efficiency, anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidant activity. Although the majority of the studies in vivo and in vitro summarized in this review have demonstrated beneficial effects of CLA on the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells, further experimental work is needed to estimate the true value of CLA as a real anti-cancer agent.

Chemical Compositions and Antimutagenic Effects of Ethanolic Extracts of Stachys Thirkei and Stachys Annua subsp. Annua Using the Ames Assay

In this study, antimutagenic effects of ethanolic extracts of Stachys thirkei and Stachys annua subsp. annua belonging to Lamiaceae family that grow in Duzce of Turkey were investigated on Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains without metabolic activation using Salmonella/microsome test system. Three different concentrations (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/plate) of the ethanolic extracts of S. thirkei and S. annua subsp. were used as active materials in which the major components were 2-ethylhexanol (30.012%) and 2-beta-pinene (26.40%), respectively. The highest concentration (0.1 mg/plate) of S. thirkei had a moderate antimutagenic effect on the Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain with a 26.79% inhibition rate. It was also established that the extract of S. thirkei at highest concentration (0.1 mg/plate) exhibited strong antimutagenic effect (with 44.03% maximum inhibition) on TA100 strain. Furthermore, it was found that 0.05 mg/plate ethanolic extract showed moderate antimutagenic activity with 25.55% inhibition rate. The highest concentration (0.1 mg/plate) of ethanolic extract of S. annua subsp. showed moderate antimutagenic activity on both Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains with inhibition rates of 20.39 and 22.13%, respectively. No antimutagenic activity on Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains was observed at the lowest doses of both plant species. As a result, it is concluded that S. thirkei and annua subsp. have antimutagenic activity and further studies may be recommended in terms of different parameters.

In vitro propagation and antioxidant potential of Berberis asiatica from Western Himalaya

An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Berberis asiatica, an important Himalayan medicinal shrub. Significantly higher in vitro seed germination (50%) was obtained in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). MS medium containing 1.0 µM BA and 0.1 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) yielded maximum callus induction percentage (100%) from in-vitro grown leaf explants. Maximum shoot proliferation (100%) was obtained when callus was transferred to MS medium containing 2.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM IAA or 6.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM NAA. The maximum rooting percentage (70%) and root number per shoot (2.36) were recorded in ½ MS containing 0.05 µM IAA. Rooted shoots when transferred to potting medium containing vermiculite, soil, and sand (1:1:1) resulted in 65% survival. The phytochemical analysis of leaf samples of tissue culture-raised plants showed significantly higher alkaloids (berberine and palmatine) content than the leaf samples collected from the wild (mother plant). A similar trend was also observed in studied antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Therefore, micropropagation of B. asiatica can be promoted for harnessing its potential as a source of berberine and natural antioxidants. This may help to reduce the pressure on the natural populations of the species.

Aspalathin: a rare dietary dihydrochalcone from Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea)

Aspalathin (2′,3,4,4′,6′-pentahydroxy-3′-C-β-D-glucopyranosyldihydrochalcone) is a natural C-linked glucosyl dihydrochalcone present in Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren (rooibos), a South African endemic plant, popularly consumed globally as a herbal tea. Aspalathin is reported to possess potent anti-oxidant properties that are believed to be responsible for the health benefits of rooibos. Other pharmacological properties ascribed to the molecule include antidiabetic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. The role of aspalathin in limiting the progression of metabolic disorders and preventing diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications has been reported. The aforementioned potential health benefits of aspalathin have rendered it a popular natural ingredient that is incorporated in various nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products for protection against different conditions. Percutaneous permeation studies revealed some degree of absorption through the skin, supporting its use in cosmetic preparations. To perform an in-depth assessment of the scientific literature available on aspalathin, a bibliometric analysis was carried out on publications for the period 1965–2020, using the Scopus database. A total of 140 articles were retrieved, indicating that South African authors are major contributors to aspalathin research. The most common areas of investigation were identified as anti-oxidation, chemistry/chemical profiling, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. A comprehensive literature search showed that there are currently only two available reviews on aspalathin. Hence, the present review aims to explore the history and fill gaps with regards to collating aspects of the synthesis, quality control, metabolism and various biological activities of the molecule.

Bay Leaf (Laurus Nobilis L.) Incense Improved Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Rats by Restoring Cholinergic Dysfunction and Brain Antioxidant Status

Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis L.) has been shown to possesses various biological activities such as wound healing activity, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, immunostimulant activity, anticholinergic activity, antifungal activity, insect repellant activity, anticonvulsant activity, antimutagenic activity, and analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to investigate whether the bay leaf incense (BL) elicits the memory formation via the action on the cholinergic system using a scopolamine (Sco)-induced rat model. Rats were exposed to BL over 5 min in a smoking chamber apparatus once daily for 22 days, whereas memory impairment was induced by Sco (0.7 mg/kg), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, delivered 30 min before each behavioral test. The phytochemical composition of BL was achieved by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GCMS). Behavioral effects in rats were assessed by Y-maze, radial arm maze (RAM), and novel object recognition (NOR) paradigms. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the oxidative stress markers in the rat hippocampus were also evaluated. Exposure to BL significantly ameliorated Sco-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. The obtained results suggested that BL-induced ameliorative cognitive effects are mediated by enhancement of the cholinergic system and antioxidant activities.

A Realistic Approach for Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive and Antimutagenic Activities, and Risk Assessment of the Aqueous Extract of Platanus orientalis L. Leaves.

Oriental planetree (Platanus orientalis L.) leaf was recorded as a remedy against inflammatory problems and to stop the pain, i.e. toothache or knee pain in "The Canon of Medicines" by Avicenna and was also being documented in the Iranian Traditional Medicine. Although such a utilization has not been described in reliable sources, recently use of its leaves as herbal tea has become popular among laypeople. Previous studies have shown that only the nonpolar extract from the leaves may have such efficacy, while possible benefits when it is used as herbal tea have not been investigated. The present study aims to reveal the possible efficacy and safety profile of aqueous extract from P. orientalis leaf. Aqueous extract of the leaves was submitted to in vivo and in vitro tests to determine its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antimutagenic activities and also reveal its safety profile. The aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) procured weak and non-significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Meanwhile, the aqueous extract demonstrated antimutagenic activity in very high concentrations. On the other hand, results of safety evaluation showed that no concern had been observed from the viewpoint of public health. Despite the popularity of the herbal tea prepared from the leaves of Oriental planetree among the people suffering joint problems to relieve pain, this study has proven that such application would not help them to alleviate their complaints when used as herbal tea.

Antimicrobial Activity of Angelica Dahurica Ethanol Extract Against Oral Bacteria

Introduction: Angelica dahurica (A. dahurica) has the protective activity against dexamehasone-induced disorders, liver protective activity, antimutagenic activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, anti-asthmatic, and anti-cancer effects. Aims of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the synergistic antibacterial activity with existing antimicrobial agents against oral pathogen. Materials and Methods: The synergistic effects of 50% ethanol extract of A. dahurica (ADEE) were evaluated against oral bacteria, either alone or with antibiotics, via broth microdilution and time-kill method. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) values for ADEE, ampicillin and gentamicin against all the tested bacteria ranged between 62.5-1000/250-2000 μg/mL, 0.0625-16/0.25-32 μg/mL, and 4-128/16-256 μg/mL, respectively. The ADEE displayed synergism with ampicillin and gentamicin, with 8-fold reductions in the MIC/MBC. Furthermore, a time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was completely attenuated after treatment with 1/2 MIC of ADEE with 1/2 MIC of antibiotics resulted from an increase of the rate of killing in units of CFU/mL to a greater degree than was observed with alone. Discussion and Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the antimicrobial and synergistic activity of ADEE and antibiotics against oral pathogens.

Chemical composition, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity study of Artemisia herba-alba using the eye and wing SMART assay of Drosophila melanogaster

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the genotoxic and antigentoxic activites of the Moroccan Artemisia herba-alba ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The mutagenic and antimutagenic activities were evaluated using thesomatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) on Drosophila melanogaster. Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) was used as the positive control.Twenty-one compounds of the Artemisia herba-alba ethanol extract were identified; the main monoterpenes identified are camphor, α-thujone and β-thujone. Ethanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba did not show gentotoxicity at doses used in SMART Assays. In the co-treatment, a dose-dependent decrease in mutation frequency was observed for this plant. Ethanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba at 1.5% demonstrated a marked decrease in MMS with a strong inhibitory effect (80%). The results demonstrate that the Artemisia herba-alba exerted a significant and potent anti-mutagenic activity in wing and eye-spot of D. melanogaster.

Antimutagenic, Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Properties of Sea Grape Leaf Extract Fractions (Coccoloba uvifera L.).

Cancer is a disease characterized by the invasion and uncontrolled growth of cells. One of the best ways to minimize the harmful effects of mutagens is through the use of natural antimutagens. In this regard, the search for new antimutagens that act in the chemoprevention could represent a promising field in this area. In this study biological potential of 11 fractions from Coccoloba uvifera L. leaf hexane extract was evaluated by several in vitro tests. Leaves were lyophilized and hexane extraction was performed. The extract was fractionated by column chromatography with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The antimutagenic (Ames test), antiproliferative (MTT test), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelation) of the fractions were evaluated. Fractions 4, 6, 8, and 9 have antimutagenic activity (against sodium azide in strain TA100), fraction 11 showed antiproliferative capacity (IC50 of 24 ± 9 μg/mL in cells of HCT 116). The fractions with the highest activity were analyzed by HPLC-MS and lupeol, acacetin, and β-sitosterol were identified. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the bioactivity of C. uvifera leaf as a new source of High Biological Value Compounds (HBVC), which can be of interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Colored Corn: An Up-Date on Metabolites Extraction, Health Implication, and Potential Use.

Colored (orange, pink, red, purple, and blue) corn strongly attracted attention on its healthy properties mainly due to its anthocyanin and carotenoid composition which is also responsible for its pigmentation. The present review summarized the recent updates on the extraction and chemical characterization of the main plant secondary metabolites present in colored seeds, kernel, cob, husk, and silk. The main approaches used to stabilize the extracts have been discussed as well as their food and non-food uses. Both in vitro and in vivo (animal models) studies on the different effects (antibacterial, antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, effects on metabolic syndrome, diabetes, glucose and lipidic metabolism, and neuroprotection) of pigmented extracts on animal and human health have been summarized.

Determination of antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties of some Schiff bases.

In this study, we aimed to investigate for the first time antimicrobial and antimutagenic activities new two Schiff bases, obtained from a primary amine (p-toluidine, o-toluidine) and an aldehyde (Helicin). Synthesized compounds characterized with elemental analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. 1H-13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Antimutagenic activity was evaluated by micronuclei assay. Antimicrobial activity of Schiff bases have been demonstrated against pathogenic four Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus cereus) and four Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudumonas aeroginosa, Salmonella typhi H, Brucella abortus, Escherichia coli) and two yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The results showed that both Schiff bases have antimutagenic activity. Especially, high concentration (20 µM) of (E)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(2-((p-tolylimino)methyl)phenoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol (Compound I) and (E)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(2-((o-tolylimino)methyl)phenoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol (Compound II) have strong antimutagenic activity against aflatoxin B1. On the other hand, both of studied compounds were found effective against pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. Compound I exhibited more activity against P. aeroginosa, S aureus, S.typhi H and C. albicans comparable to Compound II and standard antibiotics. Additionally, Compound II showed better inhibitory activity than Compound I against Candida albicans and Br. Abortus. Therefore, these compounds can be used in phytotherapeutic due to theirs antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities.

Antimutagenic bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate isolated from octopus (Paraoctopus vulgaris)

Abstract In the present study, the antimutagenic activity of methanolic (MP) and hexanic (HP) phase from hexane-soluble extract of Paraoctopus vulgaris was evaluated. The HP showed significant concentration-dependent antimutagenic activity (p < 0.05) in the Ames assay against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 tester strains. Seven fractions (F1-F7) were obtained from HP by silica gel-column chromatography and the antimutagenic activity of F6 and F7 caused significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of AFB1-induced revertants in both strains. However, high antimutagenic activity was exhibited in TA98 strain (85-97% reversion inhibition) and remained at a fraction-concentration of 3 μg/mL. F6 and F7 composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array, both fractions shared one peak at 9.42 min suggesting presence of the same compound. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR analysis results indicate that the bioactive compound is bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Based on of these results bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exhibit antimutagenic activity, which allows to consider it for further investigation as a potential chemopreventive compound.

Antimutagenic activity of nanoparticles of Rhaphidophora pinnata leaves in mice using micronucleus assay.

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Cancer may occur due to gene mutation. Rhaphidophora pinnata is a plant that has many benefits, especially in the leaves which have been used traditionally to treat cancer. The aim of this research is to test the antimutagenic activity of nanoparticles R. pinnata using the micronucleus method. The mice were induced with cyclophosphamide and then followed with the administration of nanoparticles of R. pinnata at the doses of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg for 7 days. The antimutagenic activity was evaluated at the decrease in the number of micronucleus in 200 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) cells of mice bone marrow. The result showed that the reduction of amount of micronucleus in PCE of a negative control group, treatment groups, and normal group is 22.65%, 60.3%, 79.6%, 93.8%, and 100%. These results indicate that the antimutagenic activity of nanoparticle of R. pinnata increases proportionally as the doses were increased. It can be concluded that nanoparticles R. pinnata at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg have antimutagenic activity.

Antimutagenic Effect of Medicinal Plants from Alternative Medicine

Aqueous extracts of Chirayita (Swertia chirayita Linn.) whole herb, Banafshah (Viola odorata Linn.) leaves and flowers and Mameeran (Coptis teeta Roxb.) rhizome were tested for their anti-mutagenic potential by Ames Salmonella Histidine point mutation assay of Maron, et al. with partial modifications as described by Kaur, et al. At a dose of 50 μg/plate, crude drug extracts exhibited the inhibition of His+ revert ants from 36.59% to 96% against direct acting mutagen sodium azide (NaN3) which induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA97a, TA98 and TA100. However, at concentrations (5 and 25 µg/ plate) of the plant extracts, a significant decrease in anti-mutagenic activity was recorded. In the present findings, herbal drug extracts at tested concentrations showed no sign of mutagenicity to the tester strains. Potent anti-mutagenic activity of Banafshah was observed followed by Chirayita and Mameeran. Linear regression analysis of the data shows dose dependent anti-mutagenic activity of the extracts. Qualitative analysis reveals the presence of active phytochemical as amarogentin, mangiferin (Chirayita), Cyclotides (Banafshah), Berberine (Mameeran) along with other phyto-constituents flavonoids, phenols in the tested extracts which are responsible for their anti-mutagenic activity.

The role of curcumin in perspectives of oral-healthcare

Curcumin is a polyphenol component extracted from the plant Curcuma longa. There is significant interest on curcumin because it has been used for the treatment of extensive diversity of diseases. This article provides a review of the effect of curcumin on oral health care. Curcumin has some significant properties including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunostimulant, anticancer, and antimutagenic activities. As a result of these effects, it is reasonably beneficial in dentistry and oral health. It can treat oral disorders such as periodontitis, gingivitis, oral mucositis, candidiasis, aphthous ulcer, as well as oral cancers. Moreover, curcumin can be used in dental plaque detection, as a mouthwash, and as a pit and fissure sealant.

In silico, in vitro and ex-vivo Toxicological Profiling of 5,7,4'-Trihydroxyflavone-8 -C-ß-Glucopyranoside - Vitexin

This study aimed to evaluate the in silico, in vitro, and ex-vivo toxicity of vitexin, the flavonoid 5,7,4'- trihydroxyflavone-8-C-β-glucopyranoside from Waltheria viscosissima. The chemical structure and predicted bioactive properties were also in silico analyzed. The in vitro and ex-vivo assays were performed according to the Ethics Code of the World Medical Association and were approved by the Ethics Committee of University Center of Patos (protocol number: 3.621.284). In silico analysis suggested that the molecule presents good oral bioavailability and good absorption; penetrating biological membranes. The toxicity tests revealed the potential effectiveness of the molecule in cellular protection against free radicals, in addition to possible antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic and apoptosis agonist activity. Hemolytic and genotoxic assessment detected low hemolysis rates in human red blood cells and no cellular toxicity against oral mucosa cells. The data suggest that vitexin is a safe molecule for possible therapeutic application and its toxicity profile indicates viability for future studies.

Polyphenol rich horseradish root extracts and juice: In vitro antitumor activity and mechanism of action

Background/Aim. Plant polyphenols are well known to show antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antiviral and antioxidative activity. The aim of this study was to investigate bio-active potential of Armoracia rusticana root juice and extracts: their polyphenol content, as well as in vitro antitumor activity and cell-death mechanism. Methods. Liquid-liquid extraction of polar and non-polar compounds was used and poly-phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chomatography (HPLC) analysis. Anti-proliferative activity was examined in vitro on human cervix carcinoma (HeLa), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7, MDA-MB-231), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), lung adenocarcinoma (A549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3), melanocyte carcinoma (Hs 294T), hepatocyte carcinoma (Hep G2), as well as rat hepatocyte carcinoma (H-4-II-E), and normal human fetal lung (MRC-5) cell line using sulforhodamine B assay. The mechanism of cell-death in cell line was determined using Cell Death Detection ELISAPLUS kit. Results. Dichloromethane extracts had the highest content of cate-chin, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic and gallic acid (pulp, E1), and epicatechin (juice, E3). The results showed strong and non-selective antiproliferative activity of chloroform and di-chloromethane extracts and root juice ? highest being to-wards liver, breast and lung tissue cells. IC50 values of ex-tracts and juice had low range of concentrations (IC50 = 3.49?26.5 ?g/mL) and high range of dilutions (IC50 = 418?1,590). High and unfavorable potential of horseradish juice and chloroform juice extract (E4) to induce necrotic cell death was detected. Conclusion. Strong and non-selective in vitro antiproliferative activity of chloroform and dichloromethane extracts and root juice of horseradish was detected, with necrosis as a main mechanism of induced cell death. In order to utilize horseradish root bioactive potential further investigations that will pinpoint active components with more favourable apoptosis/necrosis inducing properties are needed.