title: Evaluation of the Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity of Semipurified Fractions from the Mediterranean Brown Algae,Dictyopteris membranacea.
abstract: Dictyopteris membranacea, a species of Mediterranean brown algae, is believed to have potential pharmacological and nutritional applications. However, such potentials only make sense when devoid of any adverse health consequences. The present study should be seen in this context. It aimed at evaluating the genotoxicity and cytoxicity of its organic extract (F0) and semi purified fractions (F4, F5, and F6). Extracts were tested using the bacterial Vitotox®test and micronucleus assay in different concentrations (from 1.25 μg/mL up to 100 μg/mL, depending on the test and the extract). Applied concentrations were based on a preliminary dose-finding test with the neutral red uptake assay. The results show that all extracts were not genotoxic in the presence or absence of a rat metabolic enzyme fraction (S9). This is encouraging and justifies further investigations on the therapeutic and other values of this algae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dictyopteris membranaceaextracts and some of their semi purified fractions have important antibacterial properties.The organic extract (F0) and semi purified fractions (F4, F5, and F6) were not genotoxic according to the bacterial Vitotox test.They were also not genotoxic according to the micronucleus test in human C3A cells.Applied concentrations were based on thein-vitroneutral red uptake (NRU) test.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Najoua
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akremi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Davie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cappoen
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, O.D. Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Roel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anthonissen
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Abderrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouraoui
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, O.D. Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verschaeve
keywords: Cytotoxicity; Dictyopteris membranacea; Vitotox test; genotoxicity; micronucleus; test