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.

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.

BackgroundThe increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has contributed to the improvement of populational health, due in part, to the abundance of antioxidants in these foods. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals and ionizing radiation, including the radioisotope iodine-131 (131I). This isotope is used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid injuries, such as hyperthyroidism and cancer.MethodsThis study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective and cytotoxic activity of acute and subchronic treatments with Barbados Cherry (BC) (Malpighia glabra L.) fruit juice (5 mg), which is rich in potent antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids and its activity against the mutagenic activity of the therapeutic dose of 25 μCi of radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. The test system used was the bone marrow cells of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were treated in vivo by gavage.ResultsBC showed radioprotective activity in acute treatments, which is most likely due to the joint action of its antioxidant components. In subchronic treatments, the continuous treatment presented an effective radioprotective activity, which was significantly different from treatment with the radiopharmaceutical only. Treatment with BC prior to (PRE) and simultaneous with (SIM) ionizing radiation decreased the number of induced chromosomal alterations, while post-treatment produced no protective effect. In addition, BC exhibited no cytotoxic activity.ConclusionsThese data serve as evidence that BC can be used as a preventive health measure to improve public health quality by countering the action of inevitable exposure to mutagens, such as 131I.

ABSTRACT. Radioactive iodine-131 (131I) is used in the treatment and diagnosis of thyroid gland injuries. However, because it emits ionizing radiation, it causes harmful effects to cells. Given that betacarotene (BC) has antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, this study aimed to investigate its radioprotective and antimutagenic activity in relation to 131I at the dose that is used to treat hyperthyroidism using a test system of bone marrow cells from Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). The doses were 0.2 mL of 8 mg BC/mL corn oil and 25 μCi 131I per 100 g body weight, and they were given via gavage in acute and subchronic treatments. Treatment groups included simultaneous, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and continuous treatment types. In all antimutagenic acute treatments, BC had a significant antimutagenic/radioprotective activity in relation to 131I. In subchronic antimutagenic treatments, BC reduced the damage that was caused by the radioisotope; however, this reduction was not statistically significant because of the relatively low percentage of chromosomal abnormalities that were observed with only 131I compared to the acute treatment. These results demonstrate the radioprotective and antimutagenic activity of BC, indicating its use by the population, which inevitably is exposed to mutagenic agents, as a means of health protection.

Streams Mandacaru, Maringá, Miosótis and Nazareth in the urban area of Maringá, Estado do Paraná, Brazil are affected by the local population's polluting practices. Meristemic cells of Allium cepa L. roots were used as test system to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the streams' water. Onion roots were prepared by Feulgen reaction and stained with Schiff's reagent. Statistical analysis of the mitotic index was undertaken with the chi-square test. Results did not show significant cytotoxic effect of water samples. Results may dependent on climate variations, concentration of harmful substances, and on the time and samples sites evaluated. A deeper awareness of the population should be underscored for the proper use, preservation and maintenance of soil and water, with particular emphasis to this region.

ABSTRACT. Fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, is the first representative of the so-called new generation of antidepressants that promise efficacy, with few side effects, against deep depression, nervous bulimia, and anxiety. As there is a growing number of people suffering from anxiety and depression; consequently, the use of fluoxetine is also increasing. Verifying absence of drug effects such as cytotoxicity or mutagenicity is of great importance. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin A (retinol, retinoids) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) protect and are extremely active against mutagens. We evaluated the cytotoxic and mutagenic activity of fluoxetine, with and without concomitant administration of vitamin A or C, in Allium cepa meristem cells and Wistar rat bone marrow cells. The A. cepa meristem cells Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of fluoxetine showed fluoxetine cytotoxicity; concomitant treatment with vitamin A or C proved non-protective. Treatment of Wistar rats with fluoxetine intraperitoneally or via gavage did not affect cell division or cause clastogenic effects. Vitamin A and C did not affect the cytotoxicity or mutagenicity of fluoxetine in the rat cells.