ISSN: 2576-4772
Authors: Rehman S*
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.
Keywords: Herbal Drugs; Anti-Mutagenic; Salmonella Typhimurium
