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In vitro toxicity and genotoxic activity of aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of Ruscus hypophyllum L.

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Abstract

Ruscus hypophyllum L. is a rare Mediterranean plant which is used in the traditional medicine. We studied its phenolic content and in vitro toxicity and genotoxicity using the neutral red uptake (NRU) test, the bacterial Vitotox test, and the comet assay in human C3A hepatic cells. Aqueous leaf and fruit extracts were investigated. Antigenotoxicity against 4-nitroquinoline-oxide (4NQO, 0.4 µg/mL) and Benzo(α)pyrene (BaP, 800 µg/mL) was also investigated with the Vitotox test. The extracts appeared to be genotoxic only at high exposure levels in the comet assay. There was no indication of a genotoxic activity in the Vitotox test and also no indication of antigenotoxicity. The moderate polyphenol content may provide an explanation for the absence of antigenotoxicity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the faculty of Pharmacy (Laboratory of Transmissible Diseases and biological Active Substances) of the University of Monastir.

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Correspondence to Luc Verschaeve.

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Communicated by MJ Reigosa.

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Verschaeve, L., Edziri, H., Anthonissen, R. et al. In vitro toxicity and genotoxic activity of aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of Ruscus hypophyllum L.. Acta Physiol Plant 39, 206 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2505-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2505-7

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