Narcissus cv. Hawera Leaves' Extract Cleaves DNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Inducing DSBs

The aim of this study is to go inside the mode of action of Narcissus cv. Hawera leaves' extract on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by analyzing its chemical composition, genotoxic, mutagenic, and DNA damaging effects. GC/MS analysis of the methanol extract shows that alkaloids comprise about 23.93% of the total ion current (TIC). Considering the alkaloid pattern, lycorine is the major alkaloid (8.53% of TIC), followed by 6-epi-mesembrenol (4.59% of TIC), galanthamine (2.63% of TIC), and mesembrenone (2.01% of TIC). Other compounds in the extract are mono- and di-saccharides, organic acids, and fatty acids. Based on our experiments, both well-expressed genotoxic and DNA damaging potential of Narcissus cv. Hawera total leaves' extract was revealed for the first time. The most pronounced effect is obtained after the treatment with concentrations equal to or higher than 500 μg/ml. Cell survival decrease in a dose-dependent manner correlates with increased levels of induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) but does not correspond with statistically confirmed mutagenic action. A good correlation is obtained between the levels of DSBs induced and cell survival rate. Here, for the first time, experimental evidence that Narcissus cv. Hawera  leaves' extract can cleave DNA of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii inducing DSBs was reported by us. Our finding could be considered a good reason for further investigation of its biocidal capacity on other test systems for the purposes of “green” practice.