Genotoxicity and interference with cell cycle activities by an ethanolic extract from Thai Plumbago indica roots in human lymphocytes in vitro

In Thai traditional medicine, Plumbago indica or Jetamul-Pleung-Dang in Thai is known to have health benefit especially for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. However, the mechanisms of its action are still uncertain. One of which might be genotoxic effects. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxicity of an ethanolic extract of Plumbago indica root (EEPIR) by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay in human lymphocytes. Results have shown that all treatments with EEPIR (12.5-100 µg/ml) could induce cell cycle delay as shown by significant increase in the number of metaphase cells in the first cell cycle but neither in the second nor the third cell cycle. Only at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml were SCE levels significantly increased above that of the control (p<0.05) . EEPIR at a concentration of 500 µg/ml induced cell death as few mitotic cells were shown. Accordingly, EEPIR (25-100 µg/ml) is genotoxic in human lymphocytes and cytotoxic at concentrations of ≥500 µg/ml in vitro. Therefore, these activities of the EEPIR could serve its potential therapeutic effects, especially as an anticancer agent. Further study of EEPIR in vivo is now needed to support this in vitro evidence.