4 research outputs found
Investigation of protective effects of erythrina velutina extract against MMS induced damages in the root meristem cells of allium cepa
Erythrina velutina Willd., Fabaceae, is a medicinal plant that can be found
in the tropics and subtropics, including in the semi-arid northeastern Brazil. It is
commonly used in folk medicine to treat anxiety, agitation and insomnia. E. velutina
has been known to present analgesic, anti-infl ammatory and antibacterial activities,
however, it is unknown if this plant present a protective effect on DNA. We assessed
the antigenotoxic effect of E. velutina against the genotoxic effects induced by MMS
in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. Three concentrations of the aqueous extract
(100, 200 and 400 mg/L) of this medicinal plant were used in three different types
of treatment (pre-, post- and simultaneous). The effects of the extracts on the root
meristem cells of A. cepa were analyzed at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.
Protective effects were observed at higher concentrations in pre-treatment and in
simultaneous treatment. The results suggest that E. velutina may present antigenotoxic
properties and demonstrate its chemopreventive potential