Investigation of the Genotoxicological Profile of Aqueous Betula pendula Extracts

Abstract

Betula pendula belongs to the Betulaceae family and is most common in the northern hemisphere. Various birch species have exhibited antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity as well as the antigenotoxic potential against the mutagenic agent mitomycin-C (MMC) of two commercial products, i.e., a Betula pendula aqueous leaf extract product (BE) and a Betula pendula product containing aqueous extract of birch leaves at a percentage of 94% and lemon juice at a percentage of 6% (BP) using the cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The most prevalent compounds and elements of BE and BP were identified using UHPLC-MS and ICP-MS/MS, respectively. All mixtures of BE with MMC demonstrated a decrease in the MN frequencies, with the lowest and highest concentrations inducing a statistically significant antigenotoxic activity. BP lacked genotoxic potential, while it was cytotoxic in all concentrations. Its mixtures with MMC demonstrated statistically significant antigenotoxic activity only at the lowest concentration. UHPLC-MS and ICP-MS/MS showed the presence of various elements and phytochemicals. Our results reveal antigenotoxic and cytotoxic potential of both BE and BP, while the variations observed could indicate the importance of the interactions among different natural products and/or their compounds.