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Ligaria cuneifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae), the 'Argentine mistletoe', is a hemiparasite species largely used in folk medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo methods. A screening of phenolics was performed by UV spectroscopy on different fractions. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated in vitro by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH *) assay on a crude extract (CE), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and aqueous fraction (AF). The results suggest that EAF concentrates the antioxidant capacity and was selected for further analysis. Capillary electrophoresis was employed to monitor the individual antioxidant capacity and the potential contributors to this effect. Ex vivo assays showed an efficient inhibition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced rat liver phospholipid oxidation, as well as rat brain autoxidation, and H 2 O 2-induced DNA damage in blood monocytes. In vivo, the topical application of EAF significantly decreased skin chemiluminescence in a mice model.

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The cytogenetic effects of aqueous extracts of Chenopodium multifidum L. (Paico) were determined by addition of the extracts and fractions to human lymphocyte cultures. Toxicity was evaluated by analysis of chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), mitotic (MI) and replication (RI) indexes. The results showed an increase in CA frequency in cultures exposed to infusion, an increase in SCE frequency when the cultures were exposed to both infusion and decoction, no modification in the CPK values either in the decoction or in the infusion, and a decrease in the MI of lymphocyte cultures exposed to the decoction. These results suggested genotoxic effects of "Paico" aqueous extracts.

Chenopodium sp. (Chenopodiaceae), common name ''Paico,'' is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries as an antirheumatic, anthelmintic, sedative, and analgesic agent and as a spice in food. The main component of the essential oil is ascaridole. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (ten specimens from different parts of the country), Chenopodium multifidum L. (three specimens) and to compare them with a nonaromatic Chenopodium (Chenopodium album). The extracts [decoction (D) and infusion (I)], which are the usual way of consumption by the population] were assayed by mitotic index in different concentrations (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mg dried plant=mL of culture), on lymphocyte cultures from four healthy donors, as a cytotoxicity biomarker. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was performed. The results show a statistically significant decrease in all the specimens of C. ambrosioides and C. multifidum, whereas no effect was observed in the analysis of C. album. These results suggest a cytotoxic effect of C. ambrosioides and C. multifidum aqueous extracts related with the essential oil of the plant.

The cytogenetic effects of aqueous extracts of Chenopodium multifidum L. (Paico) were determined by addition of the extracts and fractions to human lymphocyte cultures. Toxicity was evaluated by analysis of chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), mitotic (MI) and replication (RI) indexes. The results showed an increase in CA frequency in cultures exposed to infusion decoction, no modification in the CPK values either in the decoction or in the infusion, and a decrease in the MI of lymphocyte cultures exposed to the decoction. These results suggested genotoxic effects of "Paico" aqueous extracts.