In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of Genotoxicity of four Common Umbelliferous Plants

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of some plants that belongs to the Family Apiaceae on human health which are used daily as food spices. Four plants had been chosen namely, Foeniculum vulgare, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum and Carum carvi. An in vivo study had been conducted with modern molecular techniques to determine the genotoxicity and mutagenicity for the study plants on rat’s genome through random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis. The rats were orally administered the aqueous extracts of the plants for a daily single dose of 5ml for 28 days. Results have shown that all the four plant extracts do not cause any genotoxic or mutagenic effects on the rat’s genome. Furthermore, an in vitro study was also performed on the human lymphocytes model by using Comet assay and evaluate the antigenotoxic or antimutagenic effects of the four plant extracts against a mutagen (Rhazya stricta leave extract). The safety and prophylactic effects of this mutagenic plants on human health and the antigenotoxic or antimutagenic effects of all the four plant extracts against R. stricta was evaluated by exposing the human blood lymphocytes to each plant extract alone and in combination with the extract of the mutagenic agent. The results showed that all the four plant extracts are genetically safe on the human lymphocytes when used alone, and showed preventive properties against mutagenic agents when mixing it with mutagenic materials. It was concluded from the study that the daily use of these plants as medicinal or culinary purposes has no harm to humans. Additionally, it can confer protective effects upon the genetic material against many harmful physical and chemical conditions. It has been recommended that all the four plant extracts are neither genotoxic nor a threat to people who use them for various medicinal or culinary purposes. Furthermore, it has also been recommended more expanded researches on these plants to take advantage of the positive aspects of the curative and preventive properties possess by these plants.