In vitro Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Avocado (Persea americana) Fruit and Leaf Extracts in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes

Abstract

Persea americana is much sought after both for the nutritional value of its fruit and the medicinal values of its various plant parts. A chromosomal aberration assay was undertaken to evaluate the potential genotoxicity of crude extracts from avocado fruits and leaves. Chromosomal aberrations were observed in cultured human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to separately increasing concentrations of 50% methanolic extracts of Persea americana fruit and leaves. The groups exposed to leaf and fruit extracts, respectively, showed a concentration-dependent increase in chromosomal aberrations as compared to that in a control group. The mean percentage total aberrant metaphases at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg concentrations of leaf extract were found respectively to be 58 ± 7.05, 72 ± 6.41, and 78 ± 5.98, which were significantly higher (p < 0.0001 each) than that in the control group (6 ± 3.39). The mean percentage total aberrant metaphases at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg concentrations of fruit extract were found to be 18 ± 5.49, 40 ± 10.00, and 52 ± 10.20, respectively, which were significantly higher (p = 0.033, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively) than that for control (6 ± 3.39). Acrocentric associations and premature centromeric separation were the two most common abnormalities observed in both the exposed groups. The group exposed to leaf extracts also showed a significant number of a variety of other structural aberrations, including breaks, fragments, dicentrics, terminal deletion, minutes, and Robertsonian translocations. The group exposed to leaf extract showed higher frequency of all types of aberrations at equal concentrations as compared to the group exposed to fruit extract.

Acute Toxicity and Genotoxic Activity of Avocado Seed Extract (Persea americana Mill., c.v. Hass)

“…Therefore, it is considered that the P. americana seed extract showed no genotoxic activity with the micronucleus test. There is a study that demonstrates the genotoxicity of the avocado fruit and leaf extracts in human peripheral lymphocytes [ 14 ]; however, this study was carried out in vitro . There are different toxic effects in vitro and in vivo , especially when it is administered orally.…”

“…Avocado leaves showed cardiotoxic effects in mammals and birds [ 10 – 13 ]. Similarly, the mutagenicity of fruit and leaves extracts in human lymphocytes has been assessed [ 14 ]. However, no study has been done to examine the possible genotoxic activity of avocado seed extract.…”

The Odyssey of Bioactive Compounds in Avocado (Persea americana) and Their Health Benefits

“…Interestingly, contradicting information regarding avocado extract-induced genotoxicity is also available. For instance, Kulkarn et al [157] found out that avocado fruit and leaf extracts can induce chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes, with leaf extract being more genotoxic. The same research group later reported that avocado fruit extract can reduce cyclophosphamide-mediated chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes [158], which was perhaps due to the antagonistic effects of the extract on cyclophosphamide.…”

Reviewing the Concepts of Immune Surveillance of Cancer Cells, Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death and the Role of Medicinal Plants in Anticancer Immunity

“…Similarly, plants such as Viscum album, Asparagus racemos, Panax ginseng and Tinospora cordifolia are known to have strong effects on immune responses [40]. Studies by Kulkarni et al in 2010 also revealed that the Avocado fruit has strong beneficial effects on immune responses, together with some minor cytotoxic effects [41]. Boosting the immune system with extracts from medicinal plants will enhance its capacity to respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced killing of cancer cells by promptly mopping up such dying or dead cancer cells, expressing the features of apoptosis.…”