Abstract
The methanolic extract of Swertiae Herba after treatment with nitrite was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 in the absence of S9 mix. Two active principles were isolated and identified as amarogentin and amaroswerin, and this activity was proved to be associated with their 3, 3', 5-trihydroxybiphenylcarboxylic acid moiety. 3, 3'5-Trihydroxybiphenyl obtained from both the glucosides also exhibited mutagenicity after treatment with nitrite. Such activity was not observed for the non-acylated swecoiridoid glucosides and xanthone homologues of this drug.Quantitative analysis of the above two active glucosides in the commercial plant was also conducted.
