To investigate antimutagenic and anticancer activity of the optimally ripened mustard leaf (Brassica
juncea) kimchi (fermented at 15oC for 6 days, pH 4.2∼4.4), methanol extract (ext.) and five fractions
(hexane fraction (fr.), dichloromethane fraction, ethylacetate fraction, butanol fraction and aqueous
fraction) from mustard leaf kimchi were prepared, and Ames test, MTT assay, growth inhibition test
and DAPI staining were examined. The dichloromethane fr. of mustard leaf kimchi exhibited the strongest
inhibitory activities against the mutagenicities induced by aflatoxin B1 in Salmonella typhimurium TA100
than methanol ex. and other fractionated samples. Mustard leaf kimchi extract and fractions inhibited
the survival or growth of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and HT-29 human colon carcinoma
cells in MTT assay and growth inhibition test. Among the fractions, dichloromethane fr. and hexane
fr. of the mustard leaf kimchi showed the strongest inhibitory effect than methanol ex. Especially,
dichloromethane fr. induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells by DAPI staining assay. The results of DAPI
staining assay, the ratio of apoptotic body increased as dose dependent. These results indicated that
mustard leaf kimchi have a chemopreventive effect.

Keywords: Mustard leaf, Kimchi, Ames test, MTT assay, Growth inhibition test, DAPI staining