title: Synergistic effect of Gentiana lutea L. on methyl methanesulfonate genotoxicity in the Drosophila wing spot test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gentiana lutea L., the yellow gentian, is herb known for its pharmacological properties, with a long tradition of use for the treatment of a variety of diseases including the use as a remedy for digestion, also in food products and in bitter beverages. The aim of the present study is to evaluate, for the first time, genotoxicity of gentian alone, and its antigenotoxicity against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The water infusion of the underground part of gentian were evaluated in vivo using the Drosophila wing spot test, at the dose commonly used in traditional medicine. For antigenotoxic study two types of treatment with gentian and MMS were performed: chronic co-treatment, as well as post-treatment with gentian after acute exposure with MMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Water infusion of gentian alone did not exhibit genotoxicity. The results of co- and post-treatment experiments with gentian show that gentian enhanced the frequency of mutant clones over the values obtained with MMS alone, instead of reducing the genotoxicity of MMS, for 22.64% and 27.13% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This result suggests a synergism of gentian with MMS, and indicates that water infusion of gentian used in traditional medicine may have particular effects with regard to genotoxicity indicating careful use.
authors: Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, University of Belgrade, Bul. despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia. aleksandra@ibiss.bg.ac.rs
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Patenković
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Stamenković-Radak
authors: Dragana
authors: D
authors: Nikolić
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Marković
authors: Marko
authors: M
authors: Anđelković
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D030012:Gentiana; D008297:Male; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018517:Plant Roots; D014921:Wings, Animal
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate