The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata

Abstract

Pueraria mirifica is a Thai phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Pueraria lobata is also a phytoestrogen-rich herb traditionally used in Japan, Korea and China for the treatment of hypertension and alcoholism. We evaluated the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of the two plant extracts using the Ames test preincubation method plus or minus the rat liver mixture S9 for metabolic activation using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 as indicator strains. The cytotoxicity of the two extracts to the two S. typhimurium indicators was evaluated before the mutagenic and antimutagenic tests. Both extracts at a final concentration of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/plate exhibited only mild cytotoxic effects. The plant extracts at the concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/plate in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture were negative in the mutagenic Ames test. In contrast, both extracts were positive in the antimutagenic Ames test towards either one or both of the tested mutagens 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-acrylamide and benzo(a)pyrene. The absence of mutagenic and the presence of anti-mutagenic activities of the two plant extracts were confirmed in rec-assays and further supported by a micronucleus test where both plant extracts at doses up to 300 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to 16 g/kg body weight plant tuberous powder) failed to exhibit significant micronucleus formation in rats. The tests confirmed the non-mutagenic but reasonably antimutagenic activities of the two plant extracts, supporting their current use as safe dietary supplements and cosmetics.

Gas Emissions and Mutagenic Effects of Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels

“…The different number of colonies using negative and positive control is shown in Figure 2 (b). This result is consist with previous data [15,16] which indicates that the method is enough reliability to evaluate. As mention above, LMW-ME has investigated in our previous study, which was detected in BDF utilization only.…”

Antimutagenic, Cytoprotective and Antioxidant Properties of Ficus deltoidea Aqueous Extract In Vitro

“…Some herbs used as folk medicine were scientifically proven to possess antimutagenic properties [ 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Some medicinal herbs used in Southeast Asia with proven antimutagenic properties include Clinacanthus nutans , Puerarie mirifica , Puerarie lobata , and Euphorbia hirta [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

Nutraceuticals and Their Impact on Human Health

“…A number of phytochemicals as well as some plant origin foods with yet unidentified components possess anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties. Thus, use of these bioactive compounds as chemopreventive subtances, in future, can not be overlooked [7].…”