Mutagenicity and clastogenicity of some Philippine medicinal plants

The mutagenic potential of some medicinal plants for fertility control was determined using four different tests. The plants studied were makahiya, ampalaya, malunggay and kamias. Results of the Rec assay showed that the plants studied did not possess direct DNA-damaging capacity. This was confirmed by the Ames test which indicated that these plants were not mutagenic per se. Mutagenic activity following metabolism in a host animal and chromosome-breaking effects were likewise not observed. (Auth)