J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Oct; 49(10): 5000-4.

Contributions of major components to the antimutagenic effect of Hsian-tsao (Mesona procumbens Hemsl.).

Yen GC, Duh PD, Hung YL.

Department of Food Science, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuokuang Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan, Republic of China. gcyen@mail.nchu.edu.tw

Our aim was to determine the antimutagenic activity of various solvent extracts from an herb Mesona procumbens Hemsl, normally called Hsian-tsao in China. We also investigated the relationships between the special components in the water extract of Hsian-tsao (WEHT) and the antimutagenic activity. It was found that the extracts at 0-0.6 mg/plate from three solvents (water, methanol, and ethyl acetate) exhibited a dose-dependent antimutagenic effect against benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P] and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoline (IQ), both are indirect mutagens in Salmonella tester strains TA98 and TA100. The WEHT from three different plantations revealed a similar inhibitory effect on the mutagenicity of IQ in TA 98 at 2.5-5.0 mg/plate. The inhibitory effect of WEHT on the mutagenicity of IQ correlates with their polyphenol and ascorbic acid contents but not with their chlorophyll contents. These findings suggest that the antimutagenicity activity of WEHT may be attributed mainly to their polyphenolic compounds and ascorbic acid.