Laurus nobilis L. is a large shrub belonging to the Lauracea family. Its leaves are widely used for food seasoning as well as in folk medicine. Various studies have demonstrated the antiproliferative, antifungal and antibacterial effects of Laurus nobilis, but no studies have investigated the genotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of the plant. The objective of this study was to analyze the genotoxic potential of an aqueous extract of leaves, using the Allium cepa assay and mouse peripheral blood cell micronucleus test. The results showed that the extract did not have any genotoxic activity, but cytotoxic activity was observed in the two experimental models used. The extract had an antiproliferative effect, detected through the reduction of the mitotic index and the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio. The tests also demonstrated a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and with nuclear abnormalities related to cell death processes. These results can be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids, detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. Therefore, the extract from L. nobilis in the form generally used by the population does not pose risks related to its genotoxic potential, and also contains components with apoptotic and antigenotoxic potential.

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Mangifera indica L., known as mango tree, is a species belonging to family Anacardiaceae, widely used in popular medicine whose leaves are used to treat several diseases. Although several studies did not detect the cytogenotoxic activity of M. indica leaf extract, other authors have observed these feature and highlighted the importance of further research about the toxic potential of M. indica leaf extract. The aim of the current research is to assess the cytogenotoxic potential of the aqueous extract of M. indica leaves through comet DNA assay and micronucleus test. It was possible observing significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in mice subjected to the treatment with the extract, in addition to significant increase in DNA damage index in comparison to the negative control group. The extract also presented cytotoxic effect caused by significant reduction in the polychromatic:normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio in comparison to the negative control group. The extract of M. indica leaves is cytogenotoxic under the conditions used in the current research; this outcome highlighted the importance of comparative studies applied to the several used processing methods, as well as to cultivation conditions, to certify the safety in the popular use of medicinal plants.