Karem H Alzoubi
Jordan University of Science & Technology, Jordan
Title: The antimutagenic activity of selected medicinal plants from Jordan
Biography
Biography: Karem H Alzoubi
Abstract
Herbal medicinal products represent a major focus for drug development and industry and it holds a significant share in drug-market all over the globe. Recently, a number of medicinal plant extracts from Jordan with high antioxidative capacity were shown for their protective effect against DNA damage, which correlates future likelihood of cancer development or birth defects. In this study, we evaluated plant extract with high antioxidative DNA damage properties for anti-mutagenic effect using sister chromatid exchange assay in cultured human lymphocytes. As per our screening results, plant extracts with antioxidative DNA damage properties were the hexane fraction of Silybum marianum L. (aerial parts), the chloroform fractions of Pistacia palaestina Boiss (Fruits), the ethanolic fractions of Salvia triloba L. (leaves), Ziziphus spina-christi L. Desf. (Fruits/leaves) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh (leaves). These plant extract fractions were further analyzed using sister chromatid exchange assay in cultured human lymphocytes. Results showed that the ethanolic fractions of spina-christi L. Desf. (Fruits/leaves), and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh (leaves) significantly reduced the rate of sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes at doses of 100 ug/ml, 500 ug/ml. Additionally, the hexane fraction of Silybum marianum L. (aerial parts) significantly reduced the rate of sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human lymphocytes at a dose of 500 ug/ml. These results indicate the antimutagenic activity of the ethanolic fractions of spina-christi L. Desf. (Fruits/leaves), Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh (leaves) and hexane fraction of Silybum marianum L. (aerial parts); and thus, their increased potential as cancer protective agents.