New Perspectives on Asphodeline lutea from Bulgaria and Turkey: Anti-mutagenic, Anti-microbial and Anti-methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Activity

Aims: In this study, methanol extracts of Asphodeline lutea roots from Bulgaria (ALB) and Turkish (ALT) origin were evaluated for their anti-microbial, anti-MRSA properties and they were also screened for the potential of mutagenic and anti-mutagenic activities.

Methodology: The broth micro dilution method was performed for the anti-microbial activities. For mutagenicity and anti-mutagenicity screening of the extracts, plate incorporation method of Ames test was employed.

Results: Sarcina lutea was the most sensitive bacterium against ALB and ALT extracts at doses of 1.56 and 0.78 mg/ml, respectively. Both extracts exhibited similar activity against methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Salmonella enteritidis with MIC value 6.25 mg/ml. Based on the results obtained from Ames test, no mutagenic activity was found for frame shift mutation (TA98) and base pair substitution (TA100) in all concentrations of A. lutea. Strong anti-mutagenic properties with rates of 77% and 75% were observed at the highest concentrations of both extracts against 2-aminofluorene-induced mutagenicity on TA 98 with the presence of metabolic activator S9 system.

Conclusion: As a result, the extracts revealed significant anti-MRSA activity with MIC values 6.25 mg/ml against MRSA strains isolated from infections and manifested strong anti-mutagenic activity against known mutagens; it may be used in drug formulations against MRSA infections and may be used as a natural anti-mutagenic agent in the pharmacology and food industries.