Z. Ayubi - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Afzalipoor Medical School, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
A.A. Jafari - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Medical School, Shahid Sadougi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
S.A. Ayatollahi-Mousavi - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Afzalipoor Medical School, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
H. Jafari - Department of Food and Drug Control, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
M. Panddeh - Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Background: Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Avishan-e Shirazi), as an Iranian endemic plant, belongs to the Lamiaceae family and may be used as a food preservative. This study aimed to detect potential genotoxic effects of Z. multiflora extract.  Methods: Hydro-alcoholic extract of Z. multiflora was prepared. Human B lymphocytes were treated with ۱% extract within ۳ and ۲۴ h. Sterile Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) and cisplatin were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. DNA damage profiles were examined using comet assay (Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis). Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software v. ۲۱. Results: No statistically significant (p=۰.۰۷۱) DNA damage was observed in B lymphocytes treated with either Z. multiflora extract or PBS after ۳ and ۲۴ h. However, there was a statistically significant difference (p=۰.۰۰۰۱) between DNA damage in B lymphocytes that treated with cisplatin and Z. multiflora after ۳ and ۲۴ h. Conclusion: The comet assay used in the current study showed that Z. multiflora had no genotoxic effect. DOI: ۱۰.۱۸۵۰۲/jfqhc.۸.۱.۵۴۶۳

Thymus Plant, Comet Assay, Mutagenicity Tests, DNA Damage, Food Safety