Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of antimutagenic compounds from Morina coulteriana and evaluation of its therapeutic potential

Abstract

Background

In the expanding field of cancer research, antimutagenic studies hold a promising ground. In recent times these studies have shown a shift towards the diverse flora of nature and its potential to treat cancer. Genus Morina has been extensively used in Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian traditional medicine to cure numerous diseases. The plant Morina coulteriana has been traditionally used to cure eye diseases. Nevertheless, it has been explored for the first time for its antimutagenic/antigenotoxic potential and phytochemical profile.

Purpose

The present study aimed to determine the antimutagenic/antigenotoxic potential of Morina coulteriana and the bioassay-guided identification of its bioactive constituents.

Methods

The methanol crude extract and its subsequent fractions were tested for antimutagenic/antigenotoxic activity in vitro (Ames assay) and in vivo (Chromosomal aberration assay in Balb/c mice). The active (ethyl acetate) fraction was further investigated to isolate and identify its bioactive compounds utilizing chromatographic purification and detailed spectroscopic techniques respectively.

Results

The results revealed that the plant and its fractions were neither mutagenic nor toxic. The ethyl acetate fraction showed significant antimutagenic/antigenotoxic activity (66.13 %) in vitro and (88.15 %) in vivo. Further, four identified major compounds which were also tested in vitro. Our results revealed that the plant is a potent antimutagen. It worked in a dose-dependent manner and its administration decreased the mutagenic load on the cells both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The 2 isolated compounds viz.; 4hydroxyacetophenone, a phenol and picein, a phenolic glycoside were reported for the first time from the genus Morina.

Conclusion

The findings of the present investigation clearly show that the plant M. coulteriana Royle has a strong antimutagenic potential. Its administration decreased the mutagenic load on the cells both in vitro and in vivo experiments Thus the present study provides a platform for the exploration of new plants with potential antimutagenic properties.