Ocimum is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Several studies about basil and its popular use reveal many characteristics of the herb, including its use as antioxidant, anti-aging, antiinflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others. In this paper, we evaluated genotoxic, oxidative, and anti-inflammatory parameters from the extract of Ocimum basilicum in different concentrations, using human leukocytes cultures exposed to challenging agents. Our results confirm that the O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively reverts or subjugates the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These actions are attributed to its composition, which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids as well as compounds such as rosmarinic acid, all of which have well-known antioxidant activity. We also show that our basil extract presents anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanism of which is a composed interaction between the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator and the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although pharmacodynamics studies are necessary to evaluate the activities in vivo, our results demonstrated that basil could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and a possible alternative for medicinal treatment. Uniterms:Ocimum basilicum/evaluation. Ocimum basilicum/genotoxic effects. Ocimum basilicum/ anti-inflammatory properties. Medicinal plants/study.

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Schinus lentiscifolius essential oil acted as a chemosensitizer of the fungal cell to the drug, resulting in an improvement in the antifungal effect. Therefore, this combination can be considered as an alternative for the topical treatment of dermatophytosis.

Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), commonly known as aveloz, has been indiscriminately used in popular medicine to treat various illnesses. However, some components can have devastating consequences. Injury to a cell's genetic material can cause mutations, cancer, and cell death. Our main goal in this work was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of E. tirucalli extract on human leukocytes. For this purpose, we performed a phytochemical analysis to evaluate the plant's components. In the second step, we treated cultured human leukocytes with different concentrations of the dry extract of the plant and then evaluated the oxidative and genotoxic profi les of these leukocytes. We found that at 1% and 10% concentrations, the aveloz extract acted as a genotoxic agent that could damage DNA and increase oxidative damage. We conclude that despite its popular use, aveloz can act as a genotoxic agent, especially when it contains phorbol ester. Aveloz's indiscriminate use might actually promote tumors and therefore carry a considerable genetic risk for its users.

Cannabis sativa L. is a substance widely used around the world for recreational and medicinal purposes. Oral fluid has been investigated as an alternative biological matrix for demonstrating the illegal use of cannabis, particularly in situations where

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is composed mainly of bioactive components such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber and lignans. Flaxseed can be found in different presentation forms (grain or flour) and varieties (brown or golden); however, questions have arisen as to whether the presentation form and/or variety may influence the health effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on blood pressure, anthropometric and oxidative parameters in healthy human volunteers. All subjects received 40 gram aliquots of flaxseed and were instructed to consume them in their entirety mixed with water in the morning for a period of 14 days. Oxidative parameters showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in oxidative damage to lipids and proteins via dietary intervention with golden flaxseed grains. There were no significant differences in anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, DNA damage and micronuclei frequency after 14-day supplementation. This research indicates that golden flaxseed grains can be a valuable adjunct for disease prevention and protecting the organism against oxidative damage.

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Schinus molle L. is used to treat various diseases; however, the literature lacks information regarding its possible immunotoxic effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the immunotoxic effects of essential oil from leaves of Schinus molle L. in cultures of human lymphocytes and macrophages. The cultures were treated with essential oil (EO) of Schinus molle L. and subsequently subjected to genotoxic analysis (comet assay), mutagenic analysis (micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberration), and cytotoxic (cell viability) and functional parameters (interleukins secretions). Our analyses have determined that the essential oil from leaves of Schinus molle L. presents several compounds with α-pinene being the major compound; in addition, the compound verbenene was firstly identified; genotoxic effects were detected only in macrophages and only at the two highest concentrations tested. An important finding is that Schinus molle L. oil causes an activation of the immune system. This action has its mechanism centered by the cascade nitric oxide-interleukin-10-tumor necrosis factor alpha.