Genotoxicity and pharmacokinetic characterization of Cereus jamacaru ethanolic extract in rats

Abstract

The effect of Cereus jamacaru ethanolic extract in rats was analyzed using genotoxicity assays and liver ABCB1 and CYP2D4 gene expression. The lyophilized extract of C. jamacaru cladodes was analyzed with LC–MS/MS. Male Wistar rats (n=36) were equally distributed into six groups that did (+) or did not (−) receive cyclophosphamide treatments: Control (−); Control (+); EXP 1 (−), and EXP 1 (+), both treated with 210 mg/kg of ethanolic extract; and EXP 2 (−) and EXP 2 (+), both treated with 420 mg/kg of ethanolic extract. After 30 d of treatment, body weight and food and water intake were monitored. Right femur of the rats and spinal canal fluid were harvested and used for genotoxicity assays, and the liver samples were used for gene expression studies. The phytochemical analysis identified novel compounds. Animals treated with C. jamacaru showed lower body weight and food ingestion compared to controls (P<0.05). The genotoxicity assay showed an absence of ethanolic extract cytotoxicity. CYP2D4 expression was higher in EXP 2 groups compared with EXP 1 (−) group (P<0.05). ABCB1A expression was higher in negative groups compared with the positive groups. These results indicated a new phytochemical characterization of C. jamacaru and its effect on food ingestion and body weight gain. Moreover, the genotoxicity assay suggested that C. jamacaru ethanolic extract treatment presents significant intrinsic genotoxic potential and the enhanced expression of ABCB1 and CYP2D4 on C. jamacaru extract treatment suggests a role of the efflux transporter and microsomal enzyme, respectively, in C. jamacaru pharmacokinetics.

Nutritional Potential and Bioactive Compounds in Cereus jamacaru DC: An Multifaceted Cactus From Brazilian Semiarid

“…A previous study performed by Davet (2005) has identified alkaloids and steroids as the main compounds contained in C. jamacaru cladodes, corroborating with the finding ones of this study and scientific literature for Cactaceae. More recently, Medeiros et al (2018) have identified almost 24 phytochemicals in C. jamacaru, including tannins that have not been identified in our study.…”

“…We found several secondary metabolites in C. jamacaru, including alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols, and saponins. These compounds were also identified in the studies performed by Cartaxo et al (2010), Schwarz et al (2010), Bevilaqua et al (2015), Santos et al (2019), Dutra et al (2019) and Medeiros et al (2018).…”

“…Although the C. jamacaru phytochemical profile has been investigated before by several authors, including Bevilaqua et al (2015), Santos et al (2019), Dutra et al (2019), andMedeiros et al (2018), there are still other aspects to be studied, such as the phytochemical characterization of different parts of the plant using different extraction methods, as this would extend knowledge about its pharmacological and nutritional properties.…”

Genotoxicity Assessment and Protective Effect of Anogeissus leiocarpus Roots against Cyclophosphamide-Induced DNA Damage In Vivo

“…e in vivo micronucleus test, first developed in mouse bone marrow erythrocytes, is one of the genotoxicity tests recommended by international regulatory agencies and government institutions for the evaluation of new substances [24]. Micronuclei (MN) are extranuclear bodies that contain damaged chromosome fragments and/or whole chromosomes that were not incorporated into the nucleus after cell division.…”

Ácido salicílico atenua o efeito do estresse hídrico na germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas de <i>Cereus jamacaru</i> DC

“…A espécie é de ampla distribuição nas regiões áridas e semiáridas, servindo como recurso forrageiro para alimentação de animais [3]. Além disso é utilizada na medicina tradicional para o tratamento de úlceras e doenças do trato respiratório devido ao elevado conteúdo de compostos bioativos com potencial de uso fitoterápico [4].…”