Acute toxicity and genotoxicity of Schinus molle L. aqueous extract/ethanol-soluble fraction in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schinus molle L. is a medicinal species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It is commonly referred to as "aroeira" and its leaves and roots are utilized for treating different pathological conditions. However, despite its widespread use in traditional medicine, there is a lack of in-depth toxicological studies. AIM: To evaluate the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of S. molle aqueous extract/ethanol-soluble fraction in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First, a purified aqueous extract was obtained from the leaves of S. mole through infusion (referred to as EESM) and its compounds were identified using LC-DAD-MS data. Female rats were then subjected to acute oral toxicity tests using doses of 5, 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of ESSM. Studies on genetic material, including the micronucleus test and comet assay, were conducted on male and female Wistar rats using the same doses as in the acute toxicity test. For both assays, ESSM was administered orally. RESULTS: The main metabolites annotated from ESSM were dimeric proanthocyanidins, phenylpropanoids acids, flavan-3-ols, simple organic acids (C6-C1), a flavonol di-O-glycosylated (rutin), and O-glycosylated megastigmane. The ESSM did not exhibit any acute toxic effects, such as changes in biochemical, hematologic, or histopathological analysis. Furthermore, no changes were observed in comet assay or micronucleus tests when rats were given doses of 5, 50, 300, or 2000 mg/kg of ESSM. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the ESSM does not induce acute toxicity or exhibit genotoxicity up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg.

Investigations on the morpho-anatomy and histochemistry of Aconitum napellus L.

Aconitum napellus L. is a popular medicinal plant extensively used in homeopathy. This article provides detailed morphology and microscopy, including the anatomical and histochemical features of the herb, to aid authentication and quality control. In cross-section, the root in secondary growth shows the phloem surrounded by pericyclic fibers and a well-developed xylem. The stem is irregular in outline, displaying unicellular trichomes and many free collateral vascular bundles encircling the pith. The leaf is dorsiventral, hypostomatic with anomocytic and anisocytic stomata, and shows non-glandular trichomes. The floral parts are characterized by uniseriate epidermises, homogeneous mesophyll, anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface, trichomes, and oval pollen grains. The tissue fragments in powdered herbs show these characteristics and have numerous starch grains with thimble-shaped, linear or star-shaped hilum. The detailed macroscopic and microscopic analysis provided in this study can help in the authentication and quality control of A. napellus raw materials. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Key anatomical, micromorphological, and microchemical features of Aconitum napellus are described. The results of the study can support the taxonomy of the genus Aconitum. Morphological standardization of the species reported here is helpful in the quality control of this herb.

Geographical variation in the chemical composition, anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil, micromorphology and histochemistry of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) is rich in essential oil, distinguished by a predominance of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, it being widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammations. AIM OF STUDY: This study's objective was to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil of S. terebinthifolia (EOST) collected in six states of Brazil, evaluate its anti-inflammatory effects in mice, and analyze the histochemistry and micromorphology of leaves and stems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aerial parts of S. terebinthifolia were collected in six states of Brazil, and the essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The histochemistry and micromorphology of leaves and stems were performed using standard reagents, light and field emission scanning electron microscopy, beyond energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The EOST were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity and hyperalgesia using the carrageenan-induced paw edema methodology. RESULTS: The EOST showed variation across the six states in its yield (0.40%-0.86%) and chemical composition: hydrocarbon monoterpenes (28.76%-47.73%), sesquiterpenes, (31.43%-41.76%), oxygenated monoterpenes (14.31%-19.57%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.87%-14.38%). Both α-pinene and limonene were predominant constituents of essential in five regions, except for one state where α-phellandrene and limonene were the dominant components. A comprehensive description of the leaf and stem micromorphology and histochemistry was performed. In the in vivo testing, all EOST samples exerted antiedematogenic and anti-hyperalgesic effects, when tested in a carrageenan-induced paw inflammation (mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia) model with oral doses of 30 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the EOST samples collected in six Brazilian states differed in their chemical composition but not their anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects, which was correlated with the synergistic effect of its components, collaborating the etnhopharmacologycal use of this plant due to its an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, micromorphology and histochemistry of leaves and stems presented in this study provide anatomical and microchemical information, which aids species identification.

Ethnopharmacological investigations of the leaves of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae): A native Brazilian tree species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as 'embaúba'. In Brazil, the leaves of this species are used for the treatment of various kidney and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are no detailed studies on the renal and cardiovascular activities of this species. No studies on the anatomy or the quality control of this herbal drug is available thus far. AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the ethnopharmacological properties of the leaves of C. pachystachya. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The leaves of C. pachystachya were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy for pharmacobotanical and anatomical characterization. The ethanol-soluble fraction of C. pachystachya leaf extract (ESCP) was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The acute oral toxicity of ESCP on female Wistar rats was assessed. The acute and prolonged diuresis and antioxidant effects of ESCP (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated in male Wistar rats. In addition, the hypotensive effects of the ESCP as well as the vasodilatory activity in isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds were investigated. RESULTS: The anatomical markers obtained in this study can help in the identification of C. pachystachya, as well as to distinguish it from the other 'embaúbas'. The metabolites found in the ESCP were phenolic compounds, mainly C- and O-glycosylated flavonoids. The ESCP did not exhibit any toxic effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Significant diuretic activities were observed at the doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. In addition, a significant modulating activity of the tissue redox state was observed after prolonged treatment. On the other hand, no hypotensive or vasodilator activity was observed. CONCLUSION: The key findings of the present study can contribute to the taxonomy, species identification and quality control of C. pachystachya. Chemical studies have shown the presence of glycosylated flavonoids, phenylpropanoid derivative and proanthocyanidins. The pharmacological studies showed significant diuretic and antioxidant effects of C. pachystachya leaf extract, indicating a possible validation of its popular medicinal use.

Cuphea calophylla var. mesostemon (Koehne) S.A. Graham: A Whole-Ethnopharmacological Investigation.

Several species of Cuphea are used medicinally and are reported to have cardioprotective, diuretic, and antihypertensive properties. In Brazil, Cuphea species are collectively called "sete-sangrias" due to their similar appearances and are also used interchangeably for the same therapeutic purposes. So the aim of the study was to characterize morphoanatomy of leaves and stems, evaluate the safety, and investigate the diuretic, hypotensive, vasodilatory, and antioxidant properties of ethanol-soluble fraction of Cuphea calophylla var. mesostemon (Koehne) S.A. Graham. Initially, the morphoanatomical characterization of the leaves and stems of C. calophylla var. mesostemon was performed. For the pharmacological evaluation, the ethanol-soluble fraction from Cuphea calophylla (ESCC) was obtained and chemically characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Then, acute toxicity, diuretic, hypotensive, antioxidant, and vasodilatory effects were evaluated in Wistar rats. The main chemical compounds identified from ESCC were gallic acid derivatives, ellagitannins, and flavonoids. ESCC showed no acute toxic effect. ESCC showed no acute toxic effect and the estimated median lethal dose (LD50) was above 2000 mg/kg. ESCC treatment (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) did not present any significant acute diuretic or hypotensive effects. However, an important reduction in the elimination of electrolytes was observed after the acute administration, and a significant increase in renal sodium elimination was observed after 7 days of treatment. In the cardiac tissue, the groups treated with ESCC presented significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity.

Safety Assessment and Botanical Standardization of an Edible Species from South America.

Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), commonly known as nasturtium, is an important edible plant native to the Andean States and widely disseminated throughout South America. Despite the use of this species is quite widespread, there are no minimum quality control standards or data on its genotoxicity. So, the aim of this study was to present a detailed anatomical and histochemical study for Tropaeolum majus and provide genotoxicity parameters of a preparation routinely used in South American countries. First, three different Tropaeolum majus aqueous extracts (TMAEs) at concentrations of 1.5%, 7%, and 15% were prepared according to the popular use. Then, genetic toxicity of TMAE was evaluated on bacterial reverse mutation, genomic lesions, and micronucleus formation in male rats. Furthermore, a detailed anatomical and histochemical study of the leaves and stems of Tropaeolum majus were performed. No revertant colonies were found in any bacterial cultures examined. In the comet assay, TMAE showed no significant DNA damage in all tested doses. Micronucleus assay showed no significant increases in the frequency of inducing micronuclei in any dose examined. Light and electron microscope images of cross-section of leaves and stems from Tropaeolum majus revealed useful diagnostic features. The presented data showed significant safety parameters for the use of TMAE and provided important data for the quality control of this plant species.