Antigenotoxic Effects of Piquia (Caryocar villosum) in Multiple Rat Organs

Author(s)

Almeida, Mara Ribeiro ^[1] ; Castania Darin, Joana D'Arc ^[1] ; Hernandes, Livia Cristina ^[1] ; Aissa, Alexandre Ferro ^[2] ; Chiste, Renan Campos ^[3] ; Mercadante, Adriana Zerlotti ^[3] ; Greggi Antunes, Lusania Maria ^[1] ; Pires Bianchi, Maria Lourdes ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Anal Clin Toxicol & Bromatol, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Ciencia Alimentos, Fac Engn Alimentos, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION; v. 67, n. 2, p. 171-177, JUN 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

This study investigated the in vivo genotoxicity of piquia pulp (Caryocar villosum) and its potential antigenotoxicity on doxorubicin (DXR)-induced DNA damage by comet assay and micronucleus test. In addition, the phytochemicals present in piquia pulp were determined. Piquia fruit pulp (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg b.w.) was administered by gavage to Wistar rats for 14 days, and the animals received an injection of saline or DXR (15 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) 24 h before they were euthanized. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carotenoids; phenolic compounds, including flavonoids; tannins and alpha-tocopherol in piquia pulp. No statistically significant differences were observed in the evaluated parameters, demonstrating the absence of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of piquia pulp at all tested doses. In liver, kidney, cardiac and bone marrow cells, piquia significantly reduced the DNA damage induced by DXR. Our results showed that the lowest piquia dose caused the largest decrease in DNA damage and the highest dose caused the smallest decrease, demonstrating an inverse dose-response of piquia pulp. Furthermore, we observed a difference in the potential antigenotoxic effects in several tissues. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that piquia pulp was not genotoxic and inhibited the genotoxicity induced by DXR, but some of the protective effects that were observed depended on the doses and experimental conditions. Therefore, further investigations are needed to clarify how piquia pulp positively affects human health. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/59552-6 - Integrated evaluation of the stability and functional properties of natural pigments of foods
• Grantee: Adriana Zerlotti Mercadante
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/15692-0 - Evaluation of citotoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity and gene expression of Tp53 and Ephx2 in rats treated with Caryocar villosum
• Grantee: Mara Ribeiro de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate