Mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional herb used for treating erectile dysfunction, Butea superba Roxb.

Butea superba is a traditional tuberous Thai plant enriched with flavonoids that is used for treating erectile dysfunction. We investigated the mutagenic and antimutagenic potentials of a B. superba extract by using the pre-incubation method of the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 were applied as the tester strains in the presence and absence of an S9 mixture. Prior to the mutagenic and antimutagenic tests, the survival of the tester strains was measured by treating with the B. superba extract. The results show that the B. superba extract exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. Data from the Ames test revealed that the B. superba extract to be non-mutagenic in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture. In contrast, the B. superba extract showed antimutagenic potential towards either or both of the tested mutagens: 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-acrylamide (AF-2) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in the respective presence and absence of the S9 mixture, respectively. The plant antimutagenic activity was confirmed by a rec assay. A further study by micronucleus test demonstrated that the B. superba extract at the maximum loading volume could induce acute micronucleus formation in the tested animals. The in vitro mutagenic and antimutagenic assays confirmed the safe consumption of B. superba products at low dose (not more than 781.25 microg/ml of the plant extract), but the in vivo genotoxic assay demonstrated the unsafe consumption at a high dose (300 mg/kg of the BW plant extract or 16 g/kg of the BW plant powder).

Antimutagenic potential of the Thai herb, Mucuna collettii Lace.

Mucuna collettii Lace is a Thai herb with a long record of consumption among mature Thai males for the promotion of sexual potency. The mutagenic and antimutagenic potentials of Mucuna collettii extract were carried out by using the Ames test pre-incubation method in the presence and absence of S9 mixture. Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 were applied as the tester strains. Prior to mutagenic and antimutagenic tests, the survival of the tester strains was performed by treating with the plant extract. Results showed Mucuna collettii extract exhibited strong cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner. Toxicity of the plant was confirmed in mice in which negative adverse effect was found in kidney, uterus, ovary, and testis. Mucuna collettii extract in the presence and absence of S9 mixture was negative for mutagenic Ames test. Mucuna collettii extract in the presence and absence of S9 mixture was positive for antimutagenic Ames test towards either one or both of the tested mutagens: 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-acrylamide (AF-2) and benzo(a)pyrene. The antimutagenic activity of the plant extract was confirmed in rec-assays. Micronucleus test demonstrated that Mucuna collettii extract at high dose and a long incubation time could induce micronucleus formation in tested animals, but less than the response of the positive control. The overall mutagenic and antimutagenic assays are further evidences for the antimutagenic potential of Mucuna collettii.