LUTEOLIN - A STRONG ANTIMUTAGEN AGAINST DIETARY CARCINOGEN, TRP-P-2, IN PEPPERMINT, SAGE, AND THYME

摘要

This study identified a strong antimutagen in peppermint, sage, and thyme against Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole), one of the dietary carcinogens formed during cooking. The antimutagens in these herbs were purified by chromatographically monitoring the antimutagenicity with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain. Instrumental elucidation found that the active compound isolated from these herbs was 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (luteolin), a common flavonoid. Luteolin was a desmutagen against Trp-P-2 but not a bioantimutagen. Chlorophyll was also found to be a desmutagen but required a larger dose. Other common phytochemicals, alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids, xanthophylls, sterols, and saponins, were almost nonactive against Trp-P-2. These results revealed that luteolin contributed greatly to the antimutagenicity against Trp-P-2 in these herbs.