Avaliação fitoquímica e atividade antioxidante, antimutagênica e toxicológica do extrato aquoso das folhas de Ocimum gratissimum L / Phytochemical Assessment And Antioxidant, Antimutagenic And Toxicological Activity Of Ocimum gratissimum L. Leaf aqueous extract

A espécie Ocimum gratissimum L., popularmente conhecida como alfavaca, é uma planta muito usada na medicina tradicional brasileira, à qual são atribuídas diversas atividades terapêuticas quando usada na forma de infuso de suas folhas. Neste estudo foi realizada a caracterização fitoquímica, a avaliação da ação antioxidante e a investigação dos efeitos antimutagênico e antigenotóxico, além do efeito mutagênico e genotóxico potencial do extrato aquoso liofilizado a parir das folhas de O. gratissimum (EAOG). O conteúdo de polifenóis totais no extrato foi determinado pelo método Folin-Ciocalteu, sendo encontrado 11,3 µg EAG/mg de EAOG. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelo teste do 1,1-difenil-2-picril hidrazil (DPPH•), apresentando IC50 de 83,0 µg/mL. A antimutagenicidade e mutagenicidade foram avaliadas em cepas de Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 e TA100) utilizando o teste Salmonella/microssoma (Salmonella typhimurium/microssomas) em diferentes concentrações. EAOG induziu a atividade antimutagênica para a cepa TA98. A mutagenicidade não foi observada para o extrato em ambas as linhagens. Adicionalmente, a ação antigenotoxica avaliada pelo teste de clivagem do DNA-plasmidial também foi observada para EAOG. Os resultados também demonstraram que o extrato não foi capaz de induzir a genotoxicidade pelo teste empregado. Este estudo relata, pela primeira vez, as propriedades antimutagênica e antigenotóxica do extrato aquoso de O. gratissimum.

The species Ocimum gratissimum L., popularly known as Clove Basil, is a plant widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine, and several therapeutic activities are attributed to it when used as infusion of its leaves. In this study, we carried out a phytochemical characterization and the assessment evaluation and investigation of the antioxidant action of the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic effects and the potential mutagenic and genotoxic effects of the freeze-dried aqueous extract of the O. gratissimum (EAOG) leaves. The total polyphenol content in the extract was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and we found 11.3 µg EAG/mg of EAOG. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hidrazil (DPPH·), with IC50 of 83.0 µg/mL. Antimutagenicity and mutagenicity were assessed in Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 and TA100) strains using the Salmonella/microsome (Salmonella typhimurium/microsome) test in different concentrations. EAOG induced antimutagenic activity for strain TA98. Mutagenicity was not observed for the extract in both strains. Additionally, antigenotoxic action, assessed by cleavage of the DNA-damage, was also observed for EAOG. The results also show that the extract was not able to induce genotoxicity by the test used. This study reports for the first time the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic properties of the O. gratissimum aqueous extract.

Evaluation of acute and subchronic toxicity of a non-anticoagulant, but antithrombotic algal heterofucan from the Spatoglossum schröederi in Wistar rats

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated polysaccharides rich in L-fucose. The brown alga Spatoglossum schröederi, Dictyotaceae, synthesizes three heterofucans named A, B, and C. Fucan A is a non-anticoagulant heterofucan which possesses potent antithrombotic (in vivo) and antiproliferative (in vitro) activities. However, its toxicity in vivo has not been determined. The present study examined the acute and subchronic toxicity of the fucan A in Wistar rats after subcutaneous administration. After that, the animals were killed and examined. The results showed in the acute study that fucan A did not cause general adverse effects and mortality in the concentrations 0, 20, 100, 1000, and 2000 µg/g body weight per rat for seven days. Regarding the subchronic study, the data showed that the fucan A did not cause any change in hematological and biochemistry parameters, as well as in the morphology, and in the size of the rat's organs analyzed at a concentration of 20 µg/g body weight per rat during a 62-day period. In conclusion, this study indicates this heterofucan is a compound with potential pharmacological value that has no toxicity in vivo.

Assessment of sperm production and reproductive organs of Wistar rats to long-term exposure of Caesalpinia ferrea

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-term administration of C. ferrea did not significantly alter the body, vital and reproductive organs weights. Gamete production was not affected either. The chronic assessment of C. ferrea suggests that this plant does not affect the normal functioning of the Wistar rat reproductive system.

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) é uma planta medicinal utilizada principalmente no tratamento do diabetes, dentre outras propriedades terapêuticas, mas que também apresenta relatos de hepatotóxicos. Embora apresente em sua constituição substâncias capazes de interferirem na fertilidade, como flavonóides e cumarina, nenhum estudo foi ainda realizado para avaliar os efeitos adversos dessa planta no funcionamento do sistema reprodutor após tratamento de longa duração. Portanto, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização segura e os efeitos de C. ferrea nos órgãos vitais, no sistema reprodutor e na produção de espermatozóides de ratos Wistar submetidos a tratamento crônico. Animais imaturos e adultos foram tratados com o extrato aquoso de C. ferrea na dose de 300 mg/kg de peso corporal, administrado durante um ou dois ciclos espermatogênicos dessa espécie. Os órgãos reprodutores e vitais foram analisados e os espermatozóides foram coletados na secreção epididimária proveniente da cauda do epidídimo direito. A administração crônica de C. ferrea não alterou significativamente o peso corporal e nem o peso dos órgãos reprodutores e vitais. A produção de gametas também não foi afetada. Os dados sugerem que a utilização crônica de C. ferrea não interfere com o funcionamento normal do sistema reprodutor do rato Wistar.

Toxicological Assessment of Trans-resveratrol / 中草药·英文版

Objective To evaluate toxicity and safety of trans-resveratrol (t-RSV). Methods For assays of acute toxicity,genetic toxicity, and sub-chronic toxicity, Ames test, mice bone marrow erythrocyte micronucleus, and mice sperm abnormality were performed. Results In the acute oral toxicity tests, maximum tolerable dose (15 g/kg) in male and female Kunming mice showed no toxicological signs. For 90-d feeding of t-RSV at dosage range of 167-500 mg/(kg·d) in both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, no noticeable toxicological effects were observed.Conclusion T-RSV has no acute toxicity and no genotoxicity, no harmful effects on the human body at the tested dosage range and thus resveratrol is safe for human consumption.

Toxicological assessment on safety of Fangyouling, a cercaricide of preparation / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the safety of Fangyouling, a cercaricide of preparation. Methods All of the tests including the acute oral and dermal toxicity, acute eye and skin irritability and the dermal sensitivity reaction were carried out according to the toxicological test methods of pesticides for registration (GB 15670-1995). Results Fangyouling belonged to slight grade of acute toxicity through both oral and skin tests in rats. Fangyouling was not acute irritant for the skin and eyes in rabbits and weak allergic for the skin in guinea pigs. Conclusion Fangyouling may be a safe ceraricide preparation for prevention of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae infection by skin administration.