Genotoxicity of Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (Aristolochiaceae) ethanolic extract in vitro and in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional herbal medicines have diverse efficacy and are increasingly used worldwide. However, some of these herbal medicines have toxicities or side effects, but the scientific understanding of traditional herbal medicine toxicity has not yet been established. Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (ARE) is known as a herbal medicine used to relieve pain, and recent studies have shown that ARE has anticancer and antimelanogenesis efficacy. Aim of the study: Current study was conducted to assess the potential genotoxicity of an ethanolic extract of ARE. Materials and methods: The genotoxixity of ARE was confirmed by the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), a mammalian chromosomal aberration test, and a micronucleus test in vivo using ICR mice and comet assay using Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: ARE showed no genotoxicity in a micronucleus test up to 2000 mg/kg body weight in vivo. By contrast, the chromosomal aberration test showed that ARE induced an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations after treatment for 6 h with a metabolic activation system and for 6 and 22 h without the metabolic activation system when compared with vehicle control. In the Ames test, all strains except TA1535, with or without a metabolic activation system, showed an increase in the number of revertant mutant colonies in the ARE-treated group. In comet assay, DNA damage was observed in the stomach when ARE was administered. Conclusion: ARE potentially shows genotoxicity by inducing DNA damage.