The Genotoxic and Antimitotic Properties of Helichrysum plicatum Herbal Teas Widely Consumed in Turkey

Helichrysum plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum (Asteraceae), (common name; everlasting) is a medicinal plant and natural product. For centuries, it has been used as tea in Turkey because of its medicinal properties. There are few reports in literature about genotoxic effects of this plant. The aim of this work is to evaluate the genotoxic and antimitotic effects on human lymphocyte cultures induced by aqueous (decoction) extracts of this plant which were assayed in different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL). Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum extracts used in alternative medicine induced the formation of micronuclei, decreased the mitotic and replication indexes compared to untreated group (control). Indeed, it causes chromosomal damage (an increase in micronucleus) and delay in the cell division (decrease in mitotic and replication indexes). It should therefore not be used freely in high concentrations in alternative medicine although its antiproliferative activity may suggest as an antimitotic product.