Antimutagenic effect of the major volatile compounds identified from mugwort (Artemisia asictica Nakai) leaves

Abstract

Volatile aromatic compounds collected from raw and roasted mugwort (Artemisia asictica nakai) leaves by the Tenax trap and some major volatile compounds were separated and identified by GC-MS. The identified compounds were tested for the antimutagenic and mutagenic activities against aflatoxin B(AFB) using their authentic compounds. Six compounds (myrcene, cineole, camphor, caryophyllen, coumarin, and farnesol) showed antimutagenic activities, but 2-pyrrolidine and thujone showed mutagenic activities. 1-Acetylpiperidine formed during roasting mugwort leaves exhibited mutagenic activities. When the mutagens and antimutagens were mixed, the mixture reduced the mutagenicity of AFB. These results suggested that the extract of mugwort leaves is not mutagenic and so the mugwort leaves might be used as a food and as medicinal sources without mutagenicity.