Evaluation of genotoxic and antioxidant activity of an Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Sapindaceae) phytotherapeutic agent

摘要: Abstract Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Sapindaceae), vulgarly known as horse chestnut, is a native European plant, but widely distributed all over the world. The parts used in medicine are seeds and bark of young branches. seed extract has been marketed phytotherapeutic product it extensively recommended for treatment chronic venous insufficiency, traumatic edema, hemorrhoid postoperative edema. Most beneficial effects chestnut attributed to its principal component aescin. present study aims evaluate citotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antioxidant activity this by performing set bacterial cell-free tests. Phytochemical screening thin layer chromatography confirmed presence aescin well others chemical constituents studied extract. Negative results were obtained occurrence double-strand breaks pBCKS plasmid DNA. Two different detected Escherichia coli strains CC104 CC104mutMmutY: mutagenic (non-oxidative lesions) antioxidant. effect was Kado assay, where considered weakly towards frameshift mutations. Moreover, demonstrated protect cells from lesions induced mitomycin C, suggesting an antioxidative potential. A. hippocastanum be genotoxic antioxidative.