CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF SUBCRITICAL WATER EXTRACTS FROM ROSA DAMASCENA MILL. AND ROSA ALBA L

The extraction approach for obtaining biologically active phytocomplexes from medicinal plants extends from classical methods for obtaining essential oils to modern highly efficient subcritical extracts.Subcritical water extraction is one of the most promising "green" methods, having serious advantages: (i) only pure water, which is non-toxic, cheap, widely available and environmentally friendly; (ii) the need for expensive, toxic and potentially hazardous organic solvents is eliminated; (iii) high yields and speed.This study assessed the anti-cytotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of subcritical water extracts from Rosa damascena Mill.and Rosa alba L. in two test systems: Hordeum vulgare root meristems and human lymphocytes in vitro.Both rose extracts applied in non-toxic concentrations demonstrated well expressed defense potential against direct mutagen N-methyl -N'-nitro -Nnitrosoguanidine (MNNG) applied in co-treatments with mutagen-a 4-hour recovery pre-treatment and immediate co-treatment in both used test systems.The results showed that subcritical water extracts from both roses reduce MNNG-induced mitotic suppression, chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei, which is probably due to their ability to modulate genomic instability induced by the mutagen, with good agreement between the results obtained in both test systems.R. alba L. and R. damascena Mill.extracts, obtained by the eco-friendly method of subcritical water extraction, demonstrate low cyto-and genotoxicity.This result is a key competitive advantage, confirming the absence of damaging effects on cells and DNA, making them an ideal and safe component for high-quality products.The study of their potential protective activity against DNA-damaging factors can be an important advantage, especially when used in industries with high safety standards.