Frameshift mutations in Salmonella induced by the extracts of medicinal herbs Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl. and Monotes glaber Sprague.

Lannea edulis and Monotes glaber have been prescribed for various affectations in the traditional medical practice of Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa. Mutagenicity testing using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a, TA98, and TA100, indicated that the aqueous extracts of these plants induced frameshift mutations in Salmonella. The extract of L. edulis displayed marginal mutagenicity in strain TA97a while that of M. glaber showed a significant dose-dependent mutagenicity in both strains TA97a and TA98. There was no mutagenic effect observed in strain TA100. Two other plant extracts, those of Lannea discolor and Dolichos kilimandscharicus, were nonmutagenic in all three strains.