Mutagenic, Anti-mutagenic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Methanol, Hexane, and Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith.

Background: Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith (lempoyang) has a traditional application in the treatment of indigestion, worm infestation, loss of appetite, and postpartum conditions. Objectives: Extracts of Z. zerumbet (methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate) were utilized to investigate the mutagenic, anti-mutagenic, and cytotoxic properties. Materials and Methods: Initially, a mutagenicity test (Ames test) was conducted, followed by an anti-mutagenicity test, to assess the potential of Z. zerumbet extracts in inhibiting mutagenicity induced by sodium azide and 9-aminoacridine. Furthermore, the cytotoxic ability of the extracts was evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results: The mutagenicity assessment revealed that the methanol extract of Z. zerumbet exhibited a twofold increase in the number of revertants in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 1537. Similar results were observed for the hexane extract, except at a concentration of 6.25 mg/mL, where no significant increase in revertants was observed. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate extract demonstrated a twofold increase in revertants in S. typhimurium strain TA 1535. Notably, the ethyl acetate extract displayed remarkable anti-mutagenic activity against 9-aminoacridine, while the hexane extract exhibited strong anti-mutagenic activity against sodium azide. Regarding cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay, the methanol extract of Z. zerumbet exhibited the highest cytotoxicity with an IC50 value estimated at 388.50 ± 135.75 µg/mL. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed IC50 values of 514.17 ± 135.75 and 589.67 ± 241.67 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The extracts displayed both mutagenic and cytotoxic activities. However, they also exhibited promising anti-mutagenic potential, which could be harnessed for cancer prevention purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]