Toxicogenetic profile of the monoterpene alpha-terpineol on normal and tumor eukaryotic cells.

Alpha-terpineol is a monoterpene alcohol found in essential oils from medicinal plants with some well-known pharmacological activities and widely used in cosmetics. However, the toxicological effects and additional pharmacological activities need to be clarified. Thus, the study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, hemolytic, and oxidative potential of alpha-terpineol in non-clinical bioassays. Different concentrations of alpha-terpineol were used in bioassays, including MTT (50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL), Artemia salina (6.25-400 µg/mL), Allium cepa (10, 50, and 100 µg/mL), comet assay (100, 200, and 500 µg/mL), cytokinesis-block micronucleus (100, 250, and 500 µg/mL), confocal microscopy for apoptosis quantification (100 and 500 µg/mL), hemolysis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae central disk test (10, 35, and 75 µg/mL). For the MTT test, alpha-terpineol was more cytotoxic on melanoma murine B16-F10 cells rather than macrophages. For A. salina test, alpha-terpineol showed LC50 of 68.29 and 76.36 µg/mL for 24 h and 48 h of exposure time, respectively. Meanwhile, alpha-terpineol was also cytotoxic to meristematic cells, which revealed inhibition of cellular division and mutagenic action by formation of bridges and delayed anaphases. The compound increased damage index and frequency of damage corroborated by the presence of micronuclei, bridges and nuclear buds at 500 µg/mL, but it caused neither hemolysis, oxidative damage on the S. cerevisiae nor cell death in normal fibroblasts. The findings indicate alpha-terpineol has cytotoxic potential by cytogenetic and molecular mechanisms associated with apoptosis and probable target effects against melanoma cells.

Biological properties of chitosan derivatives associated with the ceftazidime drug.

Chitosan has become promising as a biomaterial because of its biocompatible, biodegradable nature and non-toxic. The biochemical and antioxidant properties of chitosan modified with acetylacetone and ethylenediamine (Cacen) or diethylenetriamine (Cacdien) associated with ceftazidime (F) were investigated. Chitosan was characterized using Elemental Analysis (CHN), Thermal Analysis (TG/DTG/DSC), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), and was investigated an in vitro hemolytic cytotoxicity test, Artemia saline larvae for toxicity and in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The chemical modification was confirmed by CHN, XRD and TG. The Cacen, Cacdien, CacenF and CacdienF derivatives presented high percentages of nitrogen (7.6%, 7.9%, 14.1% and 19.2%, respectively), confirming the modification and drug adsorption. The average molecular weight of chitosan and its derivatives were 132 kDa, with very few variations after modification. This incorporation decreased in the crystallinity index of Cacen (7.1%) and Cacdien (4.3%), as well as the incorporation of the drug (CacenF 0.3% and CacdienF 3.4%). FTIR spectra showed bands at 1580-1654 cm-1 referring to carbonyl and imine group and bands at 3500-3300 and 1462-1264 cm-1 related to vibration and deformation the amine group. 13C NMR spectroscopy was observed new peaks in carbonyl and imine regions (170-200 ppm). The thermal stability of the derivatives without the drug improved according to TG/DTG/DSC analysis, however there were decreased in the derivatives with the drug. The biocompatibility of the derivatives was confirmed by the low hemolytic rate (<5%), non-toxic on Artemia salina (LD50%>3000 ppm), and significant index (1-34%) of antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that chitosan and its derivatives are promising biomaterials.