Genotoxic evaluation of Rasagenthi Mezhugu, a Siddha formulation, using Salmonella typhimurium strains

Abstract

Rasagenthi Mezhugu, a Siddha formulation is proven for its medicinal properties in the treatment of various diseases. However, due to limited data on the genotoxicity of this formulation, it is aimed to assess its genotoxicity using bacterial reverse mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains (TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535) for the detection of gene mutation according to the guidelines of OECD 471(1997).  All these strains carry a mutation in one of several genes, which governs the biosynthesis of histidine. In addition to the histidine mutation, these Salmonella typhimurium strains contain other mutation that greatly increases their ability to detect mutagens. The results of the study showed that the mean number of histidine revertants in the treatment groups was comparable to the mean number of revertants in the control group in all the five Salmonella typhimurium tester strains viz., TA 97a, TA 98, TA 100, TA 102 and TA 1535 both in the absence and presence of mammalian microsomal enzyme (S9 fraction). Therefore, it is concluded that Rasagenthi Mezhugu is non-mutagenic up to the concentration of 5000 mg/plate both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation system to all the five Salmonella typhimurium tester strains and therefore could serve as a potential formulation for the treatment of various diseases, especially its therapeutic indication against cancer treatment.