In vitro Toxicity and genotoxic activity of aqueous leaf extracts from four varieties of Olea europea (L)

Abstract

Aim:Despite its therapeutic value almost nothing is known about potential adverse health effects of Olea europea L. We therefore investigated the in vitro toxicity and genotoxicity of leaf extracts of this plant.Material and Methods:Extracts from olive tree leaves were obtained from four different regions in Tunisia. We investigated the in vitro toxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of their aqueous extracts using the neutral red (NR) uptake, Vitotox and alkaline comet assays.Results:None of the extracts were found to be toxic and none of them were genotoxic, although some doubt exists for the extract obtained at Meski (North of Tunisia). On the basis of the Vitotox test only, none of the extracts appeared to have antigenotoxic (or cogenotoxic) properties.Discussion:The negative genotoxicity underline the safe use of the leaves, for example, as hypoglycemic and antidiabetic preparations. Lack of antigenotoxicity may indicate that the previously reported anticancer effects do not result from protection against genotoxicity.HIGHLIGHTS We investigated the in vitro toxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of olivesThe neutral Red Uptake test, Vitotox and alkaline comet assay were usedLeaf extracts from 4 different origins were investigatedNone of them showed in vitro toxicity or genotoxicityThe extracts also didn’t have antigenotoxic properties Abbreviation list: BaP: benzo(α)pyrene, EMS: ethyl methane sulfonate, LMP: low melting point, NI50: 50% inhibition of NRU, NR: neutral red, NRU: neutral red uptake, OD: optical density, PBS: phosphate buffer saline, SDS: sodium dodecyl sulphate, S/N: signal to noise ratio, 4NQO: 4-nitroquinoline oxide

Efektivitas dan Toksisitas Daun Zaitun (Olea europaea L.) sebagai Nutrasetikal Penurun Tekanan Darah untuk Mengurangi Risiko Gagal Jantung

“…Berdasarkan hasil studi literatur yang dapat dilihat pada tabel 1, diperoleh bahwa beberapa penelitian menunjukan kandungan oleuropein dalam daun zaitun (Olea europaea L.) efektif dalam menurunkan tekanan darah [12], [13], [15], [18]. Keamanan penggunaan daun zaitun (Olea europaea L.) diakui pada beberapa penelitian karena tidak ada efek toksisitas yang ditimbulkan [19], [20]. Namun salah satu penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa salah satu jenis daun zaitun (Olea europaea L.) dapat meningkatkan absorbsi obat antihipertensi [11].…”

“…Hal tersebut mengacu pada efek genotoksisitas yang dapat berpotensi menyebabkan kanker. Meskipun terdapat efek genotoksisitas pada salah satu ekstrak daun zaitun, efek yang ditimbulkan tergolong rendah jika dibandingkan dengan mutagen yang telah diketahui [19].…”