Protective effect of Gentiana lutea root and leaf extracts against heterocyclic aromatic amines IQ and PhIP produced in thermally processed meat

During high-temperature cooking of protein rich foods, especially meat and fish, heterocyclic aromatic amines can be formed. These amines are a class of potent mutagens that can cause alterations in the structure of DNA and chromosomes. In recent decades, research has been focused on investigating plants and their phytochemicals as potential antimutagens. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-genotoxic effect of methanolic root and leaf extracts of Gentiana lutea against the food mutagens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) produced in thermally processed meat. To determine the protective potential of extracts, the alkaline comet assay was applied. The results obtained indicated strong anti-genotoxic effect of both extracts against the tested mutagens. The highest inhibition of IQ-induced genotoxicity was recorded for leaf extract (72%). Regarding PhiP, root extract achieved inhibition of 80% of DNA damage, so was more successful than leaf extract. The data obtained in this study stimulates further research of G. lutea extracts and its constituents as potential dietary supplements in improving human health.