The genotoxic properties of leaf extracts from three common Congolese medicinal plants, Cogniauxia Podolaena Baill. (1839), Dissotis Rotundifolia(Sm.) Triana (1872) and Emilia Coccinea G. Don (1839) using the Ames test, the in vitro micronucleus test and the comet assay

Authors

  • Didier Dianzuangani Lusimbamo Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Davie Cappoen Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
  • Odette Kabena Ngandu Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Félicien Lukoki Luyeye Botany, Systematics and Plant Ecology Laboratory, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Marie Claire Yandju Dembo Applied Microbiology and Nutrition Laboratory, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ruth Katunda Malobo Laboratory of Applied Microbiology to Biological and Natural Resources, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Jean-Jacques Amogu Domondo Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Lionel Asamboa Shotsha Applied Microbiology and Nutrition Laboratory, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Blanchard Binda Mavambu Laboratory of Applied Microbiology to Biological and Natural Resources, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Blaise Bikandu Kapesa Herbarium of Inera-University of Kinshasa (IUK), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Seppe Segers Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
  • Roel Anthonissen Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
  • Séverine Goscinny Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
  • Birgit Mertens Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i2.87922

Keywords:

Genotoxicity, In vitro micronucleus test, In vitro comet assay, Traditional medicine, Antimutagenicity

Abstract

Cogniauxia podolaena, Dissotis rotundifolia, and Emilia coccinea are widely used in the Democratic Republic of Congo to treat various ailments, but also as contraceptives, laxatives, painkillers, and to combat malaria. Although commonly used in traditional medicine, no genotoxicity or mutagenicity data exist for these species. This study aims to assess their potential in vitro genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The plant material was collected in Kinshasa and authenticated by botanist Blaise Bikandu at the herbarium of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Kinshasa. Methanol, ethyl acetate, and water extracts of these species were prepared and subjected to the AMES test, the comet assay, and the micronucleus test. Genotoxicity was assessed using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and benzo (a) pyrene (BaP). Extracts from C. podolaena tested positive in the AMES test, particularly on the TA98 strain, suggesting frame-shift mutations. Methanol extracts from all three plants caused dose-dependent DNA damage in the comet assay, while limited genotoxicity was observed for the aqueous extract of C. podolaena. Co-genotoxic effects were observed with EMS and BaP. Methanol extracts from all species and aqueous/EtOAc extracts from C. podolaena induced chromosomal abnormalities in the micronucleus test. The results suggest that these traditional medicinal plants contain genotoxic agents, warranting further toxicological studies.

Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 15(2): 127-137, Dec 2025

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Published

2026-02-22

How to Cite

Didier Dianzuangani Lusimbamo, Davie Cappoen, Odette Kabena Ngandu, Félicien Lukoki Luyeye, Dembo, M. C. Y., Ruth Katunda Malobo, … Birgit Mertens. (2026). The genotoxic properties of leaf extracts from three common Congolese medicinal plants, Cogniauxia Podolaena Baill. (1839), Dissotis Rotundifolia(Sm.) Triana (1872) and Emilia Coccinea G. Don (1839) using the Ames test, the in vitro micronucleus test and the comet assay. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology, 15(2), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i2.87922

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Didier Dianzuangani Lusimbamo, Davie Cappoen, Odette Kabena Ngandu, Félicien Lukoki Luyeye, Marie-Claire Yandju Dembo, Ruth Katunda Malobo, Jean-Jacques Amogu Domondo, Lionel Asamboa Shotsha, Blanchard Binda Mavambu, Blaise Bikandu Kapesa, Seppe Segers, Roel Anthonissen, Séverine Goscinny, Birgit Mertens

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