Laurus nobilis L.: assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts by micronucleus and Allium cepa assays

Abstract

Laurus nobilis L. is a large shrub belonging to the Lauracea family. Its leaves are widely used for food seasoning as well as in folk medicine. Various studies have demonstrated the antiproliferative, antifungal and antibacterial effects of Laurus nobilis, but no studies have investigated the genotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of the plant. The objective of this study was to analyze the genotoxic potential of an aqueous extract of leaves, using the Allium cepa assay and mouse peripheral blood cell micronucleus test. The results showed that the extract did not have any genotoxic activity, but cytotoxic activity was observed in the two experimental models used. The extract had an antiproliferative effect, detected through the reduction of the mitotic index and the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio. The tests also demonstrated a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and with nuclear abnormalities related to cell death processes. These results can be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids, detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. Therefore, the extract from L. nobilis in the form generally used by the population does not pose risks related to its genotoxic potential, and also contains components with apoptotic and antigenotoxic potential.

Genotoxicity and mutagenicity research in Quilombola communities

“…The results found in this work suggest that the excessive cytotoxic damage caused on the study population could be inducing apoptosis 19 , so that the amount of altered cells is reduced, resulting to the lack of significance for the data of this work.…”

Phytochemical characterization and immunomodulatory effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts and essential oil of Moroccan Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) on human neutrophils

“…Previous studies have revealed the attendance of these biomolecules in these extraction forms. Silva et al analyzed the aqueous extract of L. nobilis and showed the presence of flavonoid and phenolic molecules (29). Pugazhenti et al identified the composition of Indian laurel and found that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts contained flavonoid and phenolic compounds (30).…”

Chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Tunisian, France and Austrian Laurus nobilis (Lauraceae) essential oils

“…Anticonvulsant activity, aflatoxigenic, insecticides and repellent activity of the leaf essential oil was reported in previous works (Sayyah et al, 2002;Erler et al, 2006;Atanda et al, 2007). Antioxidant activity of L. nobilis essential oil was also being studied (Baratta et al, 1998) Therefore, considering the importance of toxicogenetic investigation of plant the possible effects on Central Nervous System of laurel essential oil (Caputo et al, 2017) and cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the aqueous extract of L. nobilis leaves was recently prouved (Silva et al, 2020). Tunisian L. nobilis floral buds' oil was evaluated for their antioxidant activity by two methods: β-carotene bleaching (BCB) test and 2.2-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (Bouzouita et al, 2009).…”