Toxicogenetic evaluation of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) as a herbal medicine

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson, commonly known as yacon, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family used in traditional folk medicine. Its roots and leaves have been used by people suffering from diabetes or from various digestive or renal disorders. Aim of the study This study aimed at evaluating the in vitro potential genotoxic effects of the aqueous extract of yacon in order to determine its safety and at characterizing its phytochemical composition. Materials and methods The aqueous extract of S. sonchifolius was prepared in a similar way to that commonly used in popular medicine as tea bags. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-MS/MS) were used to identify the main compounds. The MTT test was performed to determine the range of doses and the Cytochalasine B-blocked micronucleus (Cytome assay) was used to assess geneotoxicity. Results The chemical analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of the sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) enhydrin and the dimer enhydrofolin, as the main compounds together with phenolic compounds. Increasing concentrations of the extract induced a cytotoxic effect on CHO–K1 and HepG2 cells. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of MNi, NBUDs and NPBs was observed in CHO–K1 cells, while in HepG2 cells a statistically significant frequency increase was observed with three of the four tested doses for MNi and only with the highest dose for NPBs and NBUs (genotoxic effect). Conclusion Results demonstrated the inability of the metabolic system to counteract the genetic instability, allowing the safe consumption of the leaves as a tea infusion in quantities of up to 250 mL/day.