Genotoxic and cytotoxic assessment of two endemic Lamiaceae species from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Clinopodium alpinum subsp. orontium (K.Malý) Govaerts and Thymus bracteosus Vis. ex Benth. are endemic Lamiaceae species in Bosnia and Herzegovina with rather limited data about their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. This study aimed to analyse phenolic compounds composition of C. alpinum subsp. orontium and T. bracteosus aqueous and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) extracts and their cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. Among 33 analytes, 17 were identified and quantified in the examined extracts with the rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids as main constituents. Genotoxic effects of extracts from both species are proven at the highest applied dose. T. bracteosus extracts and DMSO as a solvent exhibited stronger genotoxic potential that should be further investigated in tumour cell lines. Nevertheless, non-endemic species with similar phenolic composition and bioactivity should be the first choice for medicinal purposes.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• CBMN cytome assay
• Clinopodium alpinum subsp. orontium (K.Malý) Govaerts
• comet assay
• Lamiacae
• Thymus bracteosus Vis. ex Benth
• UHPLC-MS/MS analysis

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge Prof. Faruk Bogunić for help in the collection and identification of plants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Research grant No. CRP/BOS14-02), as well as by the grant no. LO1204 from the National Program of Sustainability I, MEYS (Czech Republic).