EVALUATION OF MUTAGENICITY, ANTIMUTAGENICITY, CYTOTOXICITY AND COMPOUND IDENTIFICATION OF PHILENOPTERA VIOLACEA (KLOTZSCH) SCHRIRE AND XANTHOCERCIS ZAMBESIACA (BAKER) DUMAZ-LE-GRAND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS IN VITRO

Abstract

Philenoptera violacea (klotzsch) Schrire and Xanthocercis zambesiaca (Baker) Dumaz-le-Grand methanolic extracts mutagenic and antimutagenic properties were determined by Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 without S9. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts were tested by Sulforhodamine B assay on the WI38 cell line. Radioprotective effect of Xanthocercis zambesiaca (Baker) Dumaz-le-Grand was determined using the clonogenic assay. Results revealed that both plants do not have mutagenic effects against all tester strains without the presence of metabolic activation and with no direct carcinogenic potential to human cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of two unknown compounds from Philenoptera violacea (klotzsch) Schrire. Based on clonogenic cell survival, Xanthocercis zambesiaca (Baker) Dumaz-le-Grand can lead to over 50% reduction in cell death. We therefore conclude that both plant extracts can be considered safe as the absence of mutagenicity indicates lack of toxicity and this was also confirmed by the negative cytoxicity screening.