The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa is used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases, such as acne, warts, diabetes, gastritis and inflammation. In this work, we describe the biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic properties of H. speciosa latex and its potential application in medicine. The physical-chemical characterization was carried out following different methodologies (CHN elemental analyses; thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests in fibroblast mouse cells and the angiogenic properties were evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model. The physical-chemical results showed that the structure of Hancornia speciosa latex biomembrane is very similar to that of Hevea brasiliensis (commercially available product). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that H. speciosa latex is biocompatible with life systems and can be a good biomaterial for medical applications. The CAM test showed the efficient ability of H. speciosa latex in neovascularization of tissues. The histological analysis was in accordance with the results obtained in the CAM assay. Our data indicate that the latex obtained from H. speciosa and eluted in water showed significant angiogenic activity without any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on life systems. The same did not occur with H. speciosa latex stabilized with ammonia. Addition of ammonia does not have significant effects on the structure of biomembranes, but showed a smaller cell survival and a significant genotoxicity effect. This study contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of H. speciosa latex as a source of new phytomedicines.

Bone loss is a common problem after accidental traumas, cancers, congenital defects, and surgical procedures. The techniques normally used in large bone restoration involve complex and invasive procedures such as grafting. Thus, it is of interest to develop alternatives such as bioactive materials to induce accelerated bone regeneration. Natural rubber (NR) membranes are potential candidates due to their characteristics such as biocompatibility, angiogenic potential, flexibility, mechanical stability, surface porosity, and permeability. The present study aims at assessing the osteogenic potential of NR membranes of clones of high bioactivity of Hevea brasiliensis (RRIM 600 and IAN 873) and of Hancornia speciosa, as well as Physicochemical characterization at the NR membranes by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile tests. Critical-size bone defects were surgically made in adult male rabbit calvarium. A fibrin sealant (FS) was used to fix the membranes as a replacement for cyanoacrylate. We compared the respective osteogenic potentials of the tested membranes against a control group in healthy animals. The new bone formed was characterized using radiography, x-ray tomography, and histological and morphometric studies. Our results show that both membranes have great potential for regenerating bone tissue, with higher bioactivity compared to the gold standard (PTFE), which was used as positive control. In both NR membranes the stress-strain profile shows low stress at small strain, characteristic of elastomer with a low degree of reticulation, followed by an increase in the stress at high deformation and two main differences between both NRL biomembranes, related to its composition. The FS acted satisfactorily in the tests, being highly recommended as a substitute for cyanoacrylate in this type of application.

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The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Mangabeira tree) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including diarrhea, ulcer, gastritis, tuberculosis, acne and warts. In this study, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of H. speciosa latex on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa were examined. Onion bulbs were exposed to different concentrations of latex and then submitted to microscopic analysis using Giemsa stain. Water was used as a negative control and sodium azide as a positive control. The results showed that, under the testing conditions, the mitotic index (MI) of the onion roots submitted to latex treatment did not differ significantly from the negative control, which suggests that the latex is not cytotoxic. Low incidence of chromosome aberrations in the cells treated with H. speciosa latex was also observed, indicating that the latex does not have genotoxic effect either. The MI and the chromosome aberration frequency responded to the latex concentration, requiring more studies to evaluate the dosage effect on genotoxicity. The results indicate that in tested concentrations H. speciosa latex is probably not harmful to human health and may be potentially used in medicine.Keywords: Cerrado, popular medicine, mutagenesis. Avaliação da citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade do látex de Hancornia speciosa usando o modelo da raiz de Allium cepaResumo O látex obtido de Hancornia speciosa é amplamente utilizado na medicina popular para tratar uma variedade de doenças, tais como: diarreia, úlcera, gastrite, tuberculose, acne e verrugas. Nesse estudo, foram avaliados os efeitos citotóxicos e genotóxicos do látex de H. speciosa sobre as células meristemáticas das raízes de Allium cepa. Os bulbos das cebolas foram expostos a diferentes concentrações de látex e depois submetidos à analise microscópica usando o corante Giemsa. A água foi usada como controle negativo e a ázida sódica como controle positivo. Os resultados mostraram que o índice mitótico (IM) das raízes de cebola submetidas ao tratamento com látex, nas condições testadas, não diferiram significativamente do controle negativo, e sugerem que o látex não é citotóxico. Também foi observada uma baixa incidência de aberrações cromossômicas nas células tratadas com látex de H. speciosa, o que sugere que o látex também não possui efeito genotóxico. O IM e a frequência de aberrações cromossômicas foram dependentes da concentração de látex. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar o efeito da dose na genotoxidade. Os resultados indicam que o látex de mangabeira, nas concentrações testadas, provavelmente não é danoso para saúde humana e pode ter potencial para ser usado na medicina.Palavras-chave: Cerrado, medicina popular, mutagênese.