Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anti-Clastogenic Activities of Lunasia amara, Blanco Leaf Extract

Abstract

The study evaluated the antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-clastogenic activities of the leaf extract of Lunasia amara, Blanco. DPPH Free Radical Scavenging Assay revealed that the leaf extract (at 6mg/mL concentration) possesses the potential to cause free-radical scavenging/ antioxidant activity. Modified Resazurin-96-well based assay showed that the leaf extract possesses the potential to cause significant inhibition on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at 6mg/mL-100 mg/L concentrations. Micronucleus test revealed that the leaf extract (at 20mg/mL and 200mg/mL concentrations), did not cause chromosome-breakage on white mice, however, possesses the ability to reduce the chromosome breakage of Mitomycin C on white mice , hence, anti-clastogenic. Result of the study can help different agencies in the discovery of potential medicinal values of different plants, particularly the indigenous plants in the Philippines. It can provide cheaper nature-based alternative medicine to the public in the midst of high-priced medicine produced by pharmaceutical companies. Through this study, the importance of plant biodiversity in Mt. Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines will also be highlighted as a source of raw materials (i.e., plants) medicinal purposes.