Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Phenolic Compounds from Aqueous Extracts of Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. Cultivated Under Different Light Conditions.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. is a medicinal species widely used in Brazil for diseases of the urinary tract, kidney stones, infections and as a diuretic. The therapeutic property of this species is due to the production of phenolic compounds by secondary metabolism. However, cultivation conditions can alter the production of phenolic compounds and compromise the medicinal use of the species. The aim of this research was the evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of the species <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. grown with and without shading, on the <i>Allium cepa</i> cell cycle and also, determine the phenolic compounds present in the aqueous extracts in each of the cultivation conditions. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> For the <i>Allium cepa</i> test three concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 g L¹ of the aerial part of the plant were used for the preparation of aqueous extracts, referring to the two forms of cultivation, with and without shading. <b>Results:</b> The aqueous extracts of <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. have cytotoxic activity, except for the 5 g L¹ concentration of the cultivation with shading, which is the only concentration that has a genotoxic effect. <b>Conclusion:</b> The incidence of light stimulates the increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds (total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins) in the species when cultivated in full sun.