Abstract
Medicinal plants, integral to traditional medicine systems, are rich sources of biologically active substances that benefit physiological and biochemical processes within living organisms. Amongst these activities, antimutagenic and genoprotective properties stand out, offering mitigation against genotoxic effects induced by adverse environmental factors on genetic material. This study delves into the mutagenic and antimutagenic capacities of aqueous and alcoholic infusions derived from Crataegus sanguinea Pall. (Rosaceae family), utilising Hordeum vulgare L. as a plant-based test subject. The assessment employed the metaphase chromosome analysis technique. Results indicate that these infusions exhibit no mutagenic activity, with the level of chromosomal aberrations in barley seeds treated with these infusions not exceeding the natural mutation rate in a statistically significant manner. When infusions were combined with Methyl methanesulfonate (positive control) exposure – irrespective of exposure sequence – a statistically significant attenuation in MMS-induced mutagenesis was observed (p<0.01). A 56-60% reduction quantified the antimutagenic efficacy of C.sanguinea infusions. This metric underscores the infusions’ capability to inhibit MMS-induced mutagenesis by 50–60%, positioning these water and alcohol-based extracts of common hawthorn as viable candidates for safeguarding against chemically induced mutagenic factors.