Identification of natural antimutagens with modulating effects on DNA repair.

The results of a study of bioantimutagenesis, with emphasis on natural antimutagens from plant extracts with modulating effects on DNA repair in Escherichia coli bacteria are presented in this chapter. Comparative screening for spontaneous or induced mutagenesis, as well as expression of the SOS gene, sfiA was accomplished. Antimutagenic capacity was obtained with nontoxic concentrations of the plant extracts; the same plant extract may decrease or increase the mutation rate, or even be ineffective, depending on the bacterial strain used and the concentration of the extract applied. Since antimutagenic effects may be the consequence of either stimulation of error-free repair, inhibition of error-prone repair, or involvement of multiple mechanisms, the effects of several plant extracts on the level of UV-induced beta-galactosidase were screened (to monitor SOS induction in cells). Reduction of the enzyme activity induced by UV was observed following addition of St. John's wort extract, while there was not reduction after thyme, aloe, camomile, or lime-tree and the level of UV-induced enzyme was even higher with sage extract. Our results indicate that the antimutagenic effect of St. John's wort is probably due to suppression of error-prone repair. Moreover, we assume that an antimutagenic effect obtained with thyme, mint, and sage under certain conditions may be due to enhanced error-free repair.