Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity ofChresta martii(Asteraceae)

Abstract

Chresta martii (Asteraceae), found in the Xingó region, northeastern Brazil, is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GIT) and liver disorders and malaria. However, there are few studies regarding efficacy and safety of use for this species. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine in vivo acute toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of organic extracts of C. martii as well as in vivo genotoxicity of its semipurified fraction. Dried aerial parts of C. martii were extracted using three organic solvents (cyclohexane [ECCm], ethyl acetate [EACm], and ethanol [EECm]), and these extracts were examined for acute toxicity (50-2000 mg/kg ip or po) and cytotoxicity (50 μg/ml) in carcinogenic human cell lines (HL-60, NCIH-292, and MCF-7). The EACm, which showed evidence of toxicity (in vivo and in vitro), was fractionated on a silica column, yielding four fractions (F1-F4). The F1 was utilized for genotoxicity (50 mg/kg ip), by in vivo micronucleus (MN) assay. ECCm showed no indication of acute toxicity or occurrence of death, while the LD50 estimated for the extracts (EACm and EECm) was 500 mg/kg po and 200 mg/kg ip. The EACm (50 μg/ml) inhibited growth of tumor cells HL-60 (96.54%), NCIH-292 (73.43%), and MCF-7 (15%). The F1 fraction induced MN formation in polychromatic erythrocytes of Swiss Webster mice. Organic extracts from C. martii exhibited acute toxicity classified as mild to moderate, in addition to cytotoxicity (in vitro), while the F1 semipurified fraction induced genotoxicity (in vivo).

Fruit extract of the medicinal plant Crataegus oxyacantha exerts genotoxic and mutagenic effects in cultured cells

“…Considering the widespread popular use of extract from aerial parts of C. oxyacantha, and lack of studies specifically assessing the genetic toxic potential of fruit extract, this investigation was conducted to determine the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and clastogenic/aneugenic potential in vitro, using human leukocytes and HepG2 cells, as well as mutagenic potential in bacteria cells. Among the available safety tests, the micronucleus (MN) test, comet assay, and Ames test are recommended by international regulatory agencies for toxicological evaluation of natural products (Choy, 2001;Claxton et al, 2010;OECD 489, 2014;Franco et al, 2015;Trindade et al, 2016). Thus, these tests were utilized to determine the safety of C. oxyacantha.…”

Protective effect of Chresta martii extract on the zymosan-induced temporomandibular joint arthritis in rats

“…[18][19][20][21][22] Our group has been investigating the pharmacological properties of this species since 2012 and its mechanisms of action have been gradually elucidated. 26,27 Given the above, we decided to assess whether CEE would improve inflammatory pain.…”

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity (HepG2) and chemical composition of polar extracts from the ruderal species Coleostephus myconis (L.) Rchb.f.

“…However, and despite their potential applications and uses in traditional medicine (e.g., in the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disorders and malaria), there are few studies regarding the effectiveness and safety of Asteraceae species. Therefore, evaluating the potential toxicity of these plant extracts, particularly their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, needs to be considered (Franco et al, 2015).…”