Article · Volume 12, Issue 47S · pp. 395–9
Evaluation of the Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity of Semipurified Fractions from the Mediterranean Brown Algae, Dictyopteris membranacea
Najoua Akremi1, Davie Cappoen2, Roel Anthonissen3, Abderrahman Bouraoui4, Luc Verschaeve4
- 1Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
- 2Toxicology Unit, O.D. Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
- 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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.
Keywords: Cytotoxicity; Dictyopteris membranacea; genotoxicity; micronucleus; test; Vitotox test
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