Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Micromeria pulegium (Rochel) Benth Extract in Human Lymphocytes and Gr-M Melanoma Cells in vitro

Abstract

Micromeria pulegium (Rochel) Benth. is an endemic species of Lamiacea family that includes frequently used plants in culinary and folk medicine. As cytotoxic potential of some species of Micromeria genus has been confirmed, this study aimed to test unknown antiproliferative and genotoxic potential of M. pulegium, endemic bh species, aqueous leaf extract in normal (human lymphocytes) and cancer (human melanoma GR-M) cells in order to protect small populations of native M. pulegium populations or promote its controlled micropropagation or cultivation. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay was applied for human lymphocyte cultures, while trypan blue exclusion assay was used for evaluation of cytotoxicity in human GR-M melanoma cells. Results demonstrate no genotoxic effects up to concentration of 0.2 mg/ml in human lymphocyte in vitro but significant reduction of cell viability in human GR-M melanoma cell line cultures treated with 0.3 mg/ml of Micromeria extract.

Cytoprotective, antimutagenic/antirecombinogenic and antibacterial properties of Lallemantia iberica extracts

“…(Lamiaceae) in a 0-0.2 mg mL −1 concentration range. 16 Markovic et al also showed that 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μg mL −1 Teucrium arduini and 1000 μg mL −1 Teucrium flavum (Lamiaceae) methanol extracts significantly reduced the mitomycin C-induced micronucleus frequency in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. 17…”

“…For example, no significant genotoxic effects on human lymphocytes were observed with methanol extracts of Micromeria pulegium (Rochel) Benth. (Lamiaceae) in a 0–0.2 mg mL −1 concentration range 16 . Markovic et al .…”

“…Many compounds and complex mixtures such as food additives, beverages and insecticides have been tested by SMART 15 . Thus, there are many studies in the literature about the interactions of mutagens with various plants deciphered by micronucleus 16‐19 and SMART assays 14,20 …”

“…14 Many compounds and complex mixtures such as food additives, beverages and insecticides have been tested by SMART. 15 Thus, there are many studies in the literature about the interactions of mutagens with various plants deciphered by micronucleus [16][17][18][19] and SMART assays. 14,20 Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a well-known inducer of cancer in animals because of its mutagenic potential and it is a natural source of oxidative damage in cells, causing a spectrum of DNA lesions, including single-and double-strand breaks.…”