Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Persicaria odorata Lour. Extract Using the In Vitro Alkaline Comet Assay

Abstract

Persicaria odorata Lour. is extensively consumed and utilized in traditional medicine. However, comprehensive data regarding its safety and genotoxicity remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of an 80% ethanolic extract of P. odorata using the in vitro alkaline comet assay in human lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells. The TK6 cells were treated with the extract at various concentrations (78.13, 156.25, 312.5, 625, and 1,250 µg/mL). Ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) at 1,000 µg/mL served as the positive control, while 1% DMSO was used as the negative control. DNA damage was assessed using parameters including % DNA in tail, head length, tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment. The results demonstrated that the positive control (EMS) induced significant DNA damage. The extract, at concentrations of 312.5 µg/mL and above, exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in % DNA in tail, tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment in a dose-dependent manner compared to the negative control. Conversely, at lower concentrations (78.13 and 156.25 µg/mL), the extract did not induce DNA damage. It was concluded that, the 80% ethanolic extract of P. odorata possessed the potential to induce DNA strand breaks in TK6 cells at high concentrations. Further in vivo studies and investigations into the underlying mechanisms are imperative to comprehensively assess its safety for human consumption.