GENOTOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF Parkia platycephala FLOWER EXTRACT

• Grant number: 24/19496-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Mutagenesis
• Principal Investigator: Flávia Aparecida Resende Nogueira
• Grantee: Tammy Arantes de Souza
• Host Institution: Universidade de Araraquara (UNIARA). Associação São Bento de Ensino. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Natural products stand out in the drug discovery and development process due to their chemical novelty and potential to generate drug candidates with complex therapeutic targets. Natural compounds exhibit a higher chemical diversity than any collection of synthetic chemicals, with complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures that can be absorbed and metabolized by the body, offering preventive and curative functions. In this context, various plant species are designated for in-depth studies. Considering the popular therapeutic use of plants from the Parkia genus, this study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of the extract from the flowers of the species Parkia platycephala Benth. (Leguminosae--Mimosoideae), commonly known as "visgueira" or "fava-de-bolota," widely found in the Northern and Northeastern regions of Brazil, to ensure its safe use given the scarcity of scientific information on this plant. The Parkia platycephala extract was produced and provided by the research group coordinated by Prof. Dr. Cláudia Quintino da Rocha from the Federal University of Maranhão. For cytotoxic analysis, keratinocyte viability (HaCaT cells) will be evaluated using the resazurin assay after 24 hours of treatment with various concentrations of the extract. Experimental controls, including negative control (complete culture medium), solvent control (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO), and positive control (50% DMSO), will also be included. To assess the mutagenicity of the extract, the Ames test with pre-incubation methodology will be applied, using the Salmonella Typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA97a, and TA102, which are designed to detect frameshift mutations and base substitutions in DNA, both with and without metabolic activation. Five different concentrations, previously selected, will be tested. At the end of this study, it is expected that the results obtained will provide important information about the genotoxicological potential of the P. platycephala extract, which is essential for ensuring its safety and potential clinical use.