Chemical and biological characterisation of Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld: absence of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity and possible chemopreventive potential

Author(s):Show less -

Ribeiro, Diego Luis ^[1] ; Ciliao, Heloisa Lizotti ^[1] ; Leal Specian, Ana Flavia ^[1] ; Serpeloni, Juliana Mara ^{[1, 2]} ; de Souza, Marilesia Ferreira ^[1] ; Pereira Tangerina, Marcelo Marucci ^[3] ; Vilegas, Wagner ^[3] ; Boldrin, Paula Karina ^[2] ; Resende, Flavia Aparecida ^[2] ; Varanda, Eliana Aparecida ^[2] ; Martinez-Lopez, Wilner ^[4] ; Sannomiya, Miriam ^[5] ; Syllos Colus, Ilce Mara ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] State Univ Londrina UEL, Ctr Biol Sci, Dept Gen Biol, Londrina, PR - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Fac Pharmaceut Sci Araraquara, Dept Biol Sci, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Coastal Campus, Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[4] Inst Biol Res Clemente Estable, Montevideo - Uruguay

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MUTAGENESIS; v. 31, n. 2, p. 147-160, MAR 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld (M.hirtum) is a plant known as `jacaranda-bico-de-pato' whose bark is commonly used against diarrhea, cough and cancer. The aim of this study was to phytochemically characterise the hydroethanolic extract of this plant, investigate its antimutagenic activities using the Ames test and evaluate its effects on cell viability, genomic instability, gene expression and cell protection in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). Antimutagenic activity was assessed by simultaneous pre- and post-treatment with direct and indirect mutagens, such as 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD), mitomycin C (MMC), benzo{[}a]pyrene (B{[}a]P) and aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), using the Ames test, cytokinesis blocking micronucleus and apoptosis assays. Only 3 of the 10 concentrations evaluated in the MTT assay were cytotoxic in HepG2 cells. Micronucleated or apoptotic cells were not observed with any of the tested concentrations, and there were no mutagenic effects in the bacterial system. However, the Nuclear Division Index and flow cytometry data showed a decrease in cell proliferation. The extract showed an inhibitory effect against direct (NPD) and indirect mutagens (B{[}a]P and AFB(1)). Furthermore, pre- and post-treated cells showed significant reduction in the number of apoptotic and micronucleated cells. This effect is not likely to be associated with the modulation of antioxidant genes, as shown by the RT-qPCR results. Six known flavonoids were identified in the hydroethanolic extract of Machaerium hirtum leaves, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and spectrophotometric methods. The presence of the antioxidants apigenin and luteolin may explain these protective effects, because these components can inhibit the formation of reactive species and prevent apoptosis and DNA damage. In conclusion, the M.hirtum extract showed chemopreventive potential and was not hazardous at the tested concentrations in the experiments presented here. Moreover, this extract should be investigated further as a chemopreventive agent. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/52237-9 - Standardized herbal medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases
• Grantee: Wagner Vilegas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/04077-0 - Standardized Herbal Medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases: Machaerium hirtum. (Fabaceae)
• Grantee: Marcelo Marucci Pereira Tangerina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 09/16147-5 - Chemical and pharmacological contribution to the Machaerium genera (Fabaceae)
• Grantee: Miriam Sannomiya
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants