Determination of mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of flavonoid compounds isolated from Mentha longifolia ssp. longifolia and Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare by using AMES test system

One of the important short time test systems, used for the determination of chemically induced mutations at cell level, is the Ames/Salmonella-microsome test system. This system constitutes a great potential in terms of determination of carcinogenic substances and prevention of their risks following the presentation of strong relationship between mutagenic effects of chemical substances and development of cancer. Ames test system is also used for the determination of antimutagens and anticarcinogens, which eliminate the mutagenic or carcinogenic effects of chemicals and prevent the interaction of these chemicals with DNA. In this study, mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of flavonoid compounds obtained from traditionally used Mentha and Origanum plants, are investigated. Mentha longifolia ssp. longifolia (Lamiaceae) was collected from Palandoken Mount and Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare (Lamiaceae) was collected from Erzurum-Oltu. Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, Apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, Apigenin-7-O-glucuronide were isolated from Mentha, and Luteolin 7-O-xyloside and Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide were isolated from Origanum. In the mutagenity and antimutagenity studies conducted by using S. typhimurium TA1535-TA1537 strains, results were statistically evaluated by applying the active compounds at different doses. When the findings were obtained from the studies, it was determined that the examined compounds at the applied doses do not exhibit any mutagenic effect. On the other hand, it was determined that at 20 mM dose application, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside and Apigenin-7-O-rutinoside exhibited respectively 91% and 88,55% antimutagenic activity. It was seen that the remaining compounds exhibited strong antimutagenic activities, which are considered statistically important, at all applied dosage levels.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported by grants from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). (Project No: 107T203).