Genotoxicity of the medicinal plant Maytenus robusta in mammalian cells in vivo

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Plants belonging to the Celastraceae family have been used in traditional medicine for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic properties, among others. Maytenus ilicifolia is the principal species of this family, and is used in the treatment of gastric ulcers. However, owing to its inadequate management in Brazil, the species is becoming extinct and is being substituted with Maytenus robusta, which also displays gastroprotective activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of M. robusta hydroalcoholic extract in vivo, using the comet assay and micronucleus test. Three doses (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) were administered to mice orally 2 times at 24-h intervals. Cytotoxicity was assessed by scoring 200 consecutive total polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes to calculate their ratio. Parametric (analysis of variance/Tukey) and non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn post hoc) tests were used to evaluate the results according to the nature of the data distribution. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage on leukocytes at the 2 higher doses tested, but the extract did not enhance micronucleus frequency in bone marrow cells. Our findings showed that after 48 h of treatment, M. robusta hydroalcoholic extract had weak genotoxic effects but no clastogenic effects in mice cells.

Antiulcer Agents: From Plant Extracts to Phytochemicals in Healing Promotion

“…Also, the oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract from Maytenus robusta (Celasteraceae) over 7 days twice a day at dose of 10 mg/kg, in rats, did not produce any sign of toxicity [ 49 ]. However, in a previous study, the same plant extract indicated in vivo genotoxicity in mammalian cells at higher doses (250 or 500 mg/kg), while there was no genotoxic effect at 50 mg/kg [ 188 ]. Aqueous and chloroform extracts of Bauhinia purpurea (Fabaceae) [ 184 , 189 ] and ethanol extract of Parkia speciosa (Fabaceae) [ 62 ] at the single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg did not produce any sign of toxicity, behavioral abnormality or mortality in rats for the next 14 days, while its antiulcer activity was confirmed in all used in vivo models of gastric ulcer.…”

Pharmacological and Toxicological Study ofMaytenus ilicifoliaLeaf Extract. Part I - Preclinical Studies

“…Some species of the genus Maytenus have been the object of toxicological evaluation, for example , Maytenus heterophylla senegalensis (da Silva et al ., ) or genotoxicity as with Maytenus robusta (Raymundo et al ., ). Niero et al .…”

“…Some species of the genus Maytenus have been the object of toxicological evaluation, for example, Maytenus heterophylla senegalensis (da Silva et al, 2011) or genotoxicity as with Maytenus robusta (Raymundo et al, 2012). Niero et al (2011), a review of studies of the Maytenus genus, highlighted M. ilicifolia as the most studied species, with numerous studies on its potential antiulcerogenic properties, either as a crude extract or as a fraction or even as an isolated component, making this of great interest as a medicinal plant.…”

Antipsychotic and behavior effect of the ethanolic extract from the bark of Maytenus macrocarpa (Ruiz &Pav.) Briq.in mice

“…7 Other species of genus Maytenus, for example M. aquifolium, M. robusta and M. obtusifolia MART have shown antiulcer activity. [8][9][10] In Maytenus ilicifolia, acute diuretic activity and hipotensive activity were found, 11 as well as antiprotozoal activity which was attributed to quinonemethide triterpenes. 12 Furthermore, particular effects upon thecentral nervous system have been registered.M.…”