Licochalcone A, a licorice flavonoid: antioxidant, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and chemopreventive potential

Author(s):Show less -

de Freitas, Karoline Soares ^[1] ; Squarisi, Iara Silva ^[1] ; Acesio, Nathalia Oliveira ^[1] ; Nicolella, Heloiza Diniz ^[1] ; Ozelin, Saulo Duarte ^[1] ; Reis Santos de Melo, Matheus ^[1] ; Guissone, Ana Paula Prado ^[1] ; Fernandes, Gabriela ^[1] ; Silva, Livia Mara ^[2] ; da Silva Filho, Ademar Alves ^[2] ; Tavares, Denise Crispim ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Franca, Lab Mutagenese, Franca, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Juiz de Fora, Fac Farm, Dept Ciencias Farmaceut, Juiz De Fora, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART A-CURRENT ISSUES; v. 83, n. 21-22 SEP 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Licochalcone A (LicoA) is a flavonoid derived fromGlycyrrhizaspp. plants. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and chemopreventive effects of LicoA inin vitroandin vivosystems. The results showed that LicoA (197.1 mu M) scavenged 77.92% of free radicals. Concentrations of 147.75 mu M or higher LicoA produced cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts. LicoA treatments of 4.43 to 10.34 mu M did not exert genotoxic activity, but at 11.8 mu M significantly lowered nuclear division indexes, compared to negative control, revealing cytotoxicity. Lower concentrations (1.85 to 7.39 mu M) exhibited protective activity against chromosomal damage induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in CHO cells. LicoA exerted no marked influence on DXR-induced genotoxicity in mouse erythrocytes, but reduced pre-neoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in rat colon at 3.12 to 50 mg/kg b.w. Biochemical markers and body weight indicated no apparent toxicity. These findings contribute to better understanding the mechanisms underlying LicoA-initiated activity as a promising chemopreventive compound. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06070-1 - Licochalcone-A, a flavonoid of alcaçuz: evaluation of chemopreventive potential
• Grantee: Karoline Soares de Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 16/22863-9 - Toxicogenic study of licochalcone a and its influence on genomic instability
• Grantee: Iara Silva Squarisi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation