Mutagenic, Anti-mutagenic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Methanol, Hexane, and Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith

Abstract

Background Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith (lempoyang) has a traditional application in the treatment of indigestion, worm infestation, loss of appetite, and postpartum conditions. Objectives Extracts of Z. zerumbet (methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate) were utilized to investigate the mutagenic, anti-mutagenic, and cytotoxic properties. Materials and Methods Initially, a mutagenicity test (Ames test) was conducted, followed by an anti-mutagenicity test, to assess the potential of Z. zerumbet extracts in inhibiting mutagenicity induced by sodium azide and 9-aminoacridine. Furthermore, the cytotoxic ability of the extracts was evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results The mutagenicity assessment revealed that the methanol extract of Z. zerumbet exhibited a twofold increase in the number of revertants in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 1537. Similar results were observed for the hexane extract, except at a concentration of 6.25 mg/mL, where no significant increase in revertants was observed. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate extract demonstrated a twofold increase in revertants in S. typhimurium strain TA 1535. Notably, the ethyl acetate extract displayed remarkable anti-mutagenic activity against 9-aminoacridine, while the hexane extract exhibited strong anti-mutagenic activity against sodium azide. Regarding cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay, the methanol extract of Z. zerumbet exhibited the highest cytotoxicity with an IC 50 value estimated at 388.50 ± 135.75 µg/mL. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed IC 50 values of 514.17 ± 135.75 and 589.67 ± 241.67 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion The extracts displayed both mutagenic and cytotoxic activities. However, they also exhibited promising anti-mutagenic potential, which could be harnessed for cancer prevention purposes.