Antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans strains and genotoxicity assessment in human leukocyte cells of Euphorbia tirucalli L

In the last times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world. Euphorbia tirucalli L., a plant known popularly as Aveloz, and originally used in Africa, has been drawing attention for its use in the United States and Latin America, both for use as an ornamental plant and as a medicinal plant. E. tirucalli L. is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and contains many diterpenoids and triterpenoids, in particular phorbol esters, apparently the main constituent of this plant, which are assumed to be responsible for their activities in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro antifungal activities of Euphorbia tirucalli (L.) against opportunistic yeasts were studied using microbroth dilution assay. The results showed that aqueous extract and latex preparation were effective against ten clinical strains of Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro (Latex and extract MIC range of 3.2 - > 411 µg/mL). Aiming the safe use in humans, the genotoxic effects of E. tirucalli were evaluated in human leukocytes cells. Our data show that both aqueous extract and latex preparation have no genotoxic effect in human leukocytes cells in vitro. Although the results cannot be extrapolated by itself for use in vivo, they suggest a good perspective for a therapeutic application in future. In conclusion, our results show that the aqueous extract and latex preparation from E. tirucalli L. are antifungal agents effectives against several strains of C. neoformans and do not provoke DNA damage in human leukocyte cells, considering the concentrations tested.

Assessment of the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of Synadenium umbellatum Pax latex by micronucleus test in mice / Avaliação da atividade mutagênica e antimutagênica do látex de Synadenium umbellatum Pax pelo teste do micronúcleo em camundongos

Synadenium umbellatum Pax, popularly known as "cola-nota", is a medicinal plant that grows in tropical regions. The latex of this plant is used against various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, leprosy, tripanosomiasis, leukemia, and several malignant tumors. The mutagenic, antimutagenic, and cytotoxic effects of the latex of this plant were investigated by measuring the frequency of micronuclei in mice bone marrow cells. To evaluate mutagenicity, the animals were treated with four doses of latex (10, 30, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight). To study the antimutagenic activity, the animals were simultaneously treated with latex and mitomycin C (4 mg/kg). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes ratio. Our results showed a significant increase of frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). Concerning antimutagenicity, the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg co-administered with mitomycin C showed significant decrease in MNPCE frequency compared to the positive control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant reduction in MNPCE frequency (p > 0.05) was detected at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Under our experimental conditions, the results obtained indicate strong mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of S. umbellatum latex except the dose of 10 mg/kg and moderate antimutagenic effect at lower doses.

Synadenium umbellatum Pax, popularmente conhecida como "cola-nota", é uma planta medicinal que cresce em regiões tropicais. O látex desta planta tem sido utilizado no tratamento de várias doenças, como diabetes mellitus, hanseníase, tripanossomíases, leucemia e vários tumores malignos. Os efeitos mutagênico, antimutagênico e citotóxico do látex dessa planta foram investigados pela mensuração da frequência de micronúcleos em células de medula óssea de camundongos. Para avaliar a mutagenicidade, os animais foram tratados com quatro doses do látex (10, 30, 50 e 100 mg/kg). Para o estudo da atividade antimutagênica, os animais foram tratados com o látex e mitomicina C (4 mg/Kg) simultaneamente. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pela razão de eritrócitos policromáticos e normocromáticos. Nossos resultados mostraram um aumento significativo da frequência de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (EPCMN) em relação ao grupo controle negativo (p < 0,05). Na avaliação da atividade antimutagênica do látex, as doses de 10 e 30 mg/kg coadministradas com mitomicina C mostraram uma diminuição significativa na frequência de EPCMN comparada com o grupo controle positivo (p < 0,05). Entretanto, não houve redução significativa na frequência de EPCMN (p > 0,05) detectada nas doses de 50 e 100 mg/kg. Nas nossas condições experimentais, os resultados obtidos indicaram forte atividade mutagênica e citotóxica do látex do S. umbellatum, com exceção na dose de 10 mg/kg e moderado efeito antimutagênico nas doses mais baixas.