Evaluation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Vochysia divergens extract in V79 cells

• Grant number: 13/25318-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Mutagenesis
• Principal Investigator: Denise Crispim Tavares Barbosa
• Grantee: Suzana Amorim Mendes
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The incessant quest for understanding of natural laws and the challenge of overcoming barriers to their survival, took the man to the present stage of scientific development, even after technological advancement observed nowadays. This knowledge about medicinal plants symbolizes often the only therapeutic resource in many communities. This type of medical culture, arouses the interest of researchers in studies involving multidisciplinary areas, such as botany, pharmacology and phytochemical that together enrich the knowledge about medicinal natural inexhaustible source: the world's flora. The Vochysia divergens species, commonly known as cambará , is a colonizing tree and clay fields flooded Pantanal, commonly used in folk medicine against respiratory infections , digestive disorders, asthma and also in wound healing and skin disease. The present study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of the Vochysia divergens leaves extract in fibroblasts from Chinese hamster lung (V79 cells). The cytotoxicity will be assessed by the XTT colorimetric assay. The micronucleus test will be used to study genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity. In these assays, the cultures will be treated with different concentrations of the extract, in order to evaluate the genotoxicity. For the evaluation of antigenotoxicity, these same concentrations will be associated with mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, 44 µg/mL). Negative control groups (no treatment), positive (MMS) and solvent (dimethylsulfoxide) will be included. As analysis parameter, it will be evaluated the micronuclei frequency in 3,000 binucleated cells per treatment group. The cytotoxicity of the treatments will be assessed by the nuclear division index where 1,500 cells per treatment will be analyzed. This study will allow better understanding of the action of V. divergens leaves extract in the body, contributing to the safety assessment of the possible drug use as well as a possible chemopreventive activity.