Testing of Schefflera vinosa extract in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo for potential toxicity, genetic damage, and role of oxidation

Author(s)

Ferreira, Natalia Helen ; Barbosa de Andrade, Kelly Jacqueline ; Leandro, Luis Fernando ; Acesio, Nathalia Oliveira ; Mendes, Suzana Amorim ; Cintra, Lucas Silva ; Januario, Ana Helena ; Tavares, Denise Crispim

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART A-CURRENT ISSUES; v. 79, n. 24, p. 1201-1210, 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of a hydroethanolic extract of Schefflera vinosa (SV), a plant with schistosomicidal activity, as well as its influence on DNA damage induced by different mutagens, methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in V79 cells and Swiss mice. Schefflera vinosa extract produced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 312.5 mu g/ml or higher using the XTT cell proliferation assay kit. Treatment of V79 cell cultures with the highest SV concentration tested (150 mu g/ml) significantly increased the frequency of micronuclei (MN) compared to controls. All SV concentrations significantly reduced the frequency of MN induced by hydrogen peroxide in V79 cell cultures. Further, SV was able to scavenge free radicals in the DPPH assay. In the in vivo test system, treatment with the highest dose tested (1,000 mg/kg body weight) induced a significant rise in frequency of DNA damage using the comet assay. However, animals treated with different doses of SV demonstrated absence of genotoxicity in the bone marrow MN test. For assessment of modulatory effects, the lower concentration of SV (250 mg/kg body weight) administered to MMS-treated mice significantly reduced frequency of DNA damage compared to the positive control (MMS alone). In contrast, the highest concentration tested (1,000 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the rate of MN induced by MMS. The lack of genotoxic damage at biologically relevant SV concentrations, as well as the SV-mediated antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities, indicate the potential therapeutic usefulness of this plant extract. These activities may be attributed, at least in part, to the flavonoid quercitrin, its major component. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13903-9 - Evaluation of genotoxic and antioxidant activities of Styrax camporum hydroalcoholic extract and their chemical markers, egonol and homoegonol, and their influence on genomic and pre-neoplasic lesions
• Grantee: Denise Crispim Tavares Barbosa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/01268-9 - Phytochemical study and evaluation of the antimalarial, antimicrobial and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities from the São Paulo State cerrado native species
• Grantee: Ana Helena Januário
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants