The investigation of traditionally used medicinal plants is valuable both as a source of potential chemotherapeutic drugs and as a measure of safety for the continued use of these medicinal plants. Achillea millefolium L. (AM) is an ancient remedial herb native to Europe that is used to treat wounds, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, inflammation, headaches, and pain. Bauhinia forficata Link (BF), an Asiatic plant, is one of the most commonly used plants in folk medicine against diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimutagenic potential of aqueous extracts of AM and BF on bone marrow cells of Wistar rats treated in vivo. These plant extracts possess considerable antioxidant activity due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These compounds were determinants to noncytotoxic and antimutagenic/protective action of these plants, that reduced statistically the percentage of chromosomal alterations induced by the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide in simultaneous (AM, 68%; BF, 91%), pre- (AM, 68%; BF, 71%), and post-treatment (AM, 67%; BF, 95%). Therefore, the results of this study indicate that extracts of A. millefolium and B. forficata have antimutagenic potential and that their consumption can benefit the health of those using them as an alternative therapy.
Due to an increase in water consumption in the industrial sector and within the Brazilian population, surface water that receives wastewater from industries, domestic sewage, agricultural industries, and sewage treatment stations can pollute water bodies when not properly treated. The water quality has been linked to catchment characteristics and intensity of agricultural activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to monitor the cytotoxic potential of the water of the Quatorze River, located in the town of Francisco Beltrão, Paraná, Brazil, along its route in the rural area, using the root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. as a bioindicator. The results showed that the water at points 2, 3, and 4 were not cytotoxic because the rates of A. cepa cell division were unaltered. Point 1 had presented a mitotic index that was statistically larger than the negative control, indicating that this water contained substances with mitogenic capacity, as demonstrated by elevated values in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). However, the mitotic index values decreased along the route of the river (point 1 to point 4), possibly indicating a mechanism of self-purification, despite having received other sources of pollution. Thus, the results of this study show that the water of the Quatorze River should undergo periodic environmental monitoring at different times of the year, including cytotoxicity analysis, to evaluate the principal sources of contamination to maintain the quality of the river water and, consequently, to maintain human health and equilibrium of the entire ecosystem.
INTRODUÇÃOAs plantas produzem substâncias químicas que podem atuar beneficamente ou agirem de forma tóxica sobre outros organismos. Portanto, para que o homem possa fazer uso medicinal de uma espécie vegetal com segurança, é necessário que a mesma seja estudada sob o ponto de vista químico, farmacológico e toxicológico (Ritter et al., 2002).O consumo de plantas medicinais tem base na tradição familiar e tornou-se prática generalizada na medicina popular, sendo considerada uma terapia complementar ou alternativa para a promoção da saúde (Loya et al., 2009 5790, Bloco H67, sala 11, Jardim Universitário, RESUMO: O consumo de plantas medicinais tem base na tradição familiar e tornou-se prática generalizada na medicina popular. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o grau de reconhecimento e uso de espécies medicinais utilizadas por 35 idosos do município de Marmeleiro -Paraná. Os resultados das entrevistas mostraram que todos os idosos conheciam, das vinte plantas medicinais apresentadas, a babosa, a camomila, a erva-cidreira, a macela, a malva, a manjerona, a noz-moscada, a pata-de-vaca e a sálvia. Além disso, 94% dos mesmos faziam o uso de plantas medicinais, sendo que 71,4% destes, utilizavam frequentemente, enquanto 94,2% foram influenciados principalmente pelos familiares (pais e avós). As plantas medicinais consumidas diariamente pelos idosos eram a erva-cidreira (48,6%), a malva (34,3%), o quebra-pedra (34,1%), a sálvia (25,7%), a camomila (22,9%), o guaco (20%), a carqueja e a macela (14,3%), a pata-de-vaca e o alecrim (8,6%) e a babosa (2,9%), preparadas na forma de chá (decocção) ou infusão. Vale destacar que a forma de obtenção das plantas medicinais era principalmente em plantações próprias (88,6%). Desta forma, informações acerca das plantas medicinais devem retornar para a população, em especial a mais idosa, enfatizando o modo de cultivo e colheita, através de técnicas desconhecidas por eles, bem como a melhor forma de utilização de cada espécie medicinal, estimulando seu uso, com maior eficacia e segurança. Palavras-chave: Etnofarmacologia, Medicina Tradicional, Uso de Plantas Medicinais por Idosos.ABSTRACT: Recognition and use of medicinal plants by the elderly in the city of Marmeleiro -Paraná. The use of medicinal plants is based on family tradition and became a common practice in popular medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the level of recognition and use of medicinal plants used by 35 elderly in the city Marmeleiro -Paraná. The results of the interviews showed that all elderly knew, from twenty medicinal plants presented, aloe vera, chamomile, lemon balm, camomile, mallow, marjoram, nutmeg, paw-of-cow and sage. Besides that, 94% of them used medicinal plants, 71.4% of these frequently, influenced mainly by the family (parents and grandparents) (94.2%). Medicinal plants consumed daily by the elderly were the lemon balm (48.6%), mallow (34.3%), shatterstone (34.1%), sage (25.7%), chamomile (22.9 %), guaco (20%), gorse and camomile (14.3%), paw-of-cow and rosemary ...
Fruits are important sources of nutrients in human diet, and Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) is of particular interest due to its high content of antioxidants. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables protect individuals against diseases and cancer, but excessive intake of vitamins may act as pro-oxidant and generate changes in DNA. To evaluate the effect of different in natura (BAN) and frozen (BAF) Barbados Cherry pulp concentrations and synthetic vitamin C in liquid form (VC) on the chromosome level and the cell cycle division, root meristeme cells of Allium cepa L. and bone marrow cells of Wistar rats Rattus norvegicus, were used as test system. In Allium cepa L., BAN, at the highest concentration (0.4 mg.mL-1) and BAF, at the lowest concentration (0.2 mg.mL-1), inhibited cell division, and there was recovery of cell division after the recovery period in water only for BAN. In the Wistar rats, all treatments with Barbados Cherry, either acute or subchronic, were not cytotoxic or mutagenic; only the highest concentration of VC increased significantly the rate of chromosomal abnormalities. The data obtained are important to reinforce the use of Barbados Cherry fruit in the diet.
BackgroundSt. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum.MethodsMeristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.ResultsThis medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%).ConclusionsThus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.
Gentisic acid (GA) exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic activities. This substance can be found in citrus fruits, grapes, olive oil, and peas. Considering that there are few studies in the literature on the toxicity of GA, the present work aimed to investigate its cytotoxic, mutagenic, and antimutagenic activities on HTC cells. GA was diluted in culture medium at the final concentration of 0.08, 0.16, 0.8, 1.6, and 8 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT assay and Trypan Blue exclusion method, with methyl methanesulfonate and doxorubicin as positive controls, respectively. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay determined the mutagenic/antimutagenic activity with benzo[a]pyrene as positive control. Negative control received culture medium only. GA (0.08-8 μg/mL) was not cytotoxic to HTC cells by the MTT assay nor the Trypan Blue exclusion method as no statistical difference was observed when compared to the control. Concentration of 0.08 and 0.8 μg/mL showed no mutagenic or clastogenic effects, as no significant micronuclei inductions were observed, different from 8 μg/mL, that was mutagenic. Furthermore, none of the concentrations presented an antiproliferative activity. The antimutagenic activity of GA (0.08 μg/mL) was observed at the simultaneous treatment, as it reduced the frequency of micronuclei by 76% (24 h) and 79% (48 h). Although pre- and post-treatments were not statistically different from the mutagen, they reduced the induced-damage by 11% and 21%, respectively. The present study indicated the absence of cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities of GA, in addition to their antimutagenic/protective effects that may contribute to human health.
ABSTRACT. The radioisotope iodine-131 [131 I] can damage DNA. One way to prevent this is to increase the amount of antioxidants via dietary consumption. The goal of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of fresh acerola pulp and synthetic beta-carotene in Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells (HTC)
Iodine-131 ((131)I) is a radioisotope used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroidal disorders such as hyperthyroidism and cancer. During its decay, (131)I emits beta particles and gamma rays; its physical half-life is 8 days, and it is accumulated preferentially in the thyroid tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of diagnostic and therapeutic doses of (131)I using bone marrow cells of rats treated in vivo in a test system with a single dose by gavage. Concentrations of 5, 25, 50 and 250 μCi in 1 ml of water were used, and after 24 h, the animals were killed. Also, a concentration of 25 μCi/ml of water was used, and the animals were killed after 5 days. The results showed that no concentration of (131)I was cytotoxic and that all concentrations were mutagenic. As a result, there was no statistically significant difference detected by the χ(2) test in the induction of chromosomal aberrations between the different doses. Thus, the present study demonstrated a significant increase in chromosomal aberration in bone marrow cells exposed to (131)I regardless of the dose or the treatment time.
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