Investigation of genotoxic/antigenotoxic potential of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) extract in rats by in vivo methods

This study was planned to elucidate the genotoxic/antigenotoxic, cytotoxic, immunohistochemical and biochemical characteristics of methanolic extract of St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) plant, which has more ethnobotonic use as medicines, in healty rats. 20, 100, 500 mg/kg methanol extract of Hypericum perforatum crops of flowers and leaves and stems alone and with N-nitrosodiethylam (Diethylnitrosamine=DEN, known for its carcinogenic effect) were given to rats for 30 days. The effect of St John's Wort on genotoxicity was determined by chromosome aberration method in rat bone marrow. Tumor examination was performed for immunohistochemical analyzes. In addition, total oxidant and antioxidant levels from the treated rats were determined by spectrophotometric method. Considering the results obtained in the study, it is understood that the test substance Hypericum perforatum does not show genotoxic effect. Hypericum perforatum did not increase percentage of abnormal cells and chromosome aberration per cell. The percentage of abnormal cells in the groups treated with St John's Wort and positive control together were found to be higher than the negative control group. However, these abnormalities were found to be significantly lower than the positive control.