Mangifera indica L.: Avaliando a citogenotoxicidade do extrato aquoso através do micronúcleo e ensaio de eletroforese em gel de célula única

Mangifera indica L., known as mango tree, is a species belonging to family Anacardiaceae, widely used in popular medicine whose leaves are used to treat several diseases. Although several studies did not detect the cytogenotoxic activity of M. indica leaf extract, other authors have observed these feature and highlighted the importance of further research about the toxic potential of M. indica leaf extract. The aim of the current research is to assess the cytogenotoxic potential of the aqueous extract of M. indica leaves through comet DNA assay and micronucleus test. It was possible observing significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in mice subjected to the treatment with the extract, in addition to significant increase in DNA damage index in comparison to the negative control group. The extract also presented cytotoxic effect caused by significant reduction in the polychromatic:normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio in comparison to the negative control group. The extract of M. indica leaves is cytogenotoxic under the conditions used in the current research; this outcome highlighted the importance of comparative studies applied to the several used processing methods, as well as to cultivation conditions, to certify the safety in the popular use of medicinal plants.Mangifera indica L., conhecida como mangueira, é uma espécie pertencente à família Anacardiaceae, amplamente utilizada na medicina popular, cujas folhas são utilizadas no tratamento de diversas doenças. Embora vários estudos não tenham detectado a atividade citogenotóxica do extrato da folha de M. indica, outros autores observaram essa característica e destacaram a importância de novas pesquisas sobre o potencial tóxico do extrato da folha de M. indica. Sendo assim, o trabalho objetivou analisar o potencial citogenotóxico do extrato aquoso das folhas de M. indica, através do ensaio de DNA cometa e do teste do micronúcleo. Foi possível observar um aumento significativo no número de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (MNPCEs) nos camundongos submetidos ao extrato, além de um aumento significativo no índice de danos ao DNA, quando comparado ao controle negativo. O extrato também apresentou efeito citotóxico, com uma redução significativa na relação de eritrócitos policromáticos/eritrócitos normocromáticos (PCE/NCE) quando comparado ao controle negativo. Conclui-se que o extrato obtido a partir das folhas de M. indica é citogenotóxico nas condições utilizadas neste trabalho; estes resultados reforçam a importância de estudos comparativos aplicados aos diversos métodos de processamento utilizados, bem como às condições de cultivo, para atestar a segurança no uso popular de plantas medicinais

Induction of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Guandu River waters in the Allium cepa system

The Guandu River is the main source of water supply for the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro and has been facing serious environmental problems due to increasing population and industrial pollution, as well as the presence of polluted tributaries. This study analyzed the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the Guandu River's waters, through the use of the Allium cepa test system. Collection points were chosen at the greatest confluences of pollutant sources. The sampling included two different seasons: the rainy season (January and February) and the dry season (June and July). The analyses of 5000 cells per treatment showed that all the points studied had some degree of cytotoxicity and/or genotoxicity. Two sampling locations, which receive major influxes from the polluted waters of the Poços/Queimados and Cabuçu/Ipiranga Rivers, stood out for the strong presence of micronuclei, sticky chromosomes, mitotic spindle abnormalities, necrotic cells and nucleolar changes compared to the negative control. At least two locations also found changes in the mitotic index. The existence of variations in the number of cytotoxic and genotoxic changes between periods of rain and drought indicates that the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the water pollutants varies according to time, depending on the discharges of the tributary rivers and the increase of contaminated effluents. The results highlight the importance of bio-monitoring to assist managers in the control of effluent discharge

AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE ANTI-HELMÍNTICA DE EXTRATOS AQUOSOS DE Bidens pilosa L. NA ELIMINAÇÃO DE Vampirolepis nana (VON SIEBOLD, 1952) SPASSKII, 1954

Foram realizados testes com extratos aquosos de Bidens pilosa L. (picão-preto), com o objetivo de avaliar sua atividade anti-helmíntica. Os infusos das folhas frescas a 5, 10 e 20% foram aplicados por via intragástrica, durante três dias consecutivos, em camundongos naturalmente infectados com Vampirolepis nana (Von Siebold, 1952) Spasskii, 1954. Além desses testes, também foi realizada a análise fitoquímica da planta com o objetivo de investigar a presença de determinados compostos secundários. A análise fitoquímica evidenciou a presença de: açúcares redutores, derivados da cumarina, saponinas e taninos. A atividade anti-helmíntica foi avaliada pelo método crítico controlado e os resultados obtidos são promissores quanto ao potencial terapêutico vermífugo dos extratos de B. pilosa, principalmente se for considerado que os testes foram realizados com extratos aquosos

Laurus nobilis L.: assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts by micronucleus and Allium cepa assays

Laurus nobilis L. is a large shrub belonging to the Lauracea family. Its leaves are widely used for food seasoning as well as in folk medicine. Various studies have demonstrated the antiproliferative, antifungal and antibacterial effects of Laurus nobilis, but no studies have investigated the genotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of the plant. The objective of this study was to analyze the genotoxic potential of an aqueous extract of leaves, using the Allium cepa assay and mouse peripheral blood cell micronucleus test. The results showed that the extract did not have any genotoxic activity, but cytotoxic activity was observed in the two experimental models used. The extract had an antiproliferative effect, detected through the reduction of the mitotic index and the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio. The tests also demonstrated a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and with nuclear abnormalities related to cell death processes. These results can be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids, detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. Therefore, the extract from L. nobilis in the form generally used by the population does not pose risks related to its genotoxic potential, and also contains components with apoptotic and antigenotoxic potential

Persea americana Mill.: Evaluation of cytogenotoxicity and phytochemical prospection of leaf extracts

Persea americana Mill., belonging to the family Lauraceae, is noteworthy for the large amount of ethnopharmacological information in its regard, attributing to it many and varied medicinal properties. The tea and alcoholic extracts made from its leaves are used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. This study was designed to analyze the cytogenotoxicity and underlying chemistry of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of avocado leaves, using the Allium cepa and micronucleus tests. The results obtained by applying the experimental models demonstrate that the extracts did not have a genotoxic effect at any of the concentrations analyzed, and even demonstrated a certain protective effect, possibly due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols, both of which are antioxidant substances. However, the extracts did present a cytotoxic effect. There were numerous karyorrhectic cells and those with nuclear alterations related to cell death. At the highest concentrations, it was possible to observe cytoplasmic alterations and binucleated cells. The extracts also caused a significant reduction in the number of cells undergoing division. These effects can be a response to the phytochemical agents present in the extracts. The results suggest that the extracts contain bioactive components that deserve further studies related to cancer therapies