Antimutagenic action of the triterpene betulinic acid isolated from Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae).

The mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of triterpene betulinic acid {3b-3-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic} isolated from the roots of Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae) were analyzed using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in the wings of Drosophila melanogaster. The mutagenic potential of betulinic acid was evaluated at 3 different concentrations (1.64, 3.28, and 6.57 mM). Antimutagenic activity evaluation was performed by co-treatment trials in which the flies received betulinic acid at 3 different concentrations in addition to 10 mM pro-mutagenic urethane. The results demonstrated that betulinic acid was not capable of causing DNA damage. However, the frequency of small single spots, large spots, and twin spots was significantly reduced. In the high bioactivation cross, betulinic acid was significantly active and exerted enhanced antimutagenic activity, possibly as a desmutagen.

Protective effects of the antileishmanial extract of Tephrosia cinerea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae) against cyclophosphamide-induced damage.

Tephrosia cinerea L. (Pers.) is a tropical species that exhibits antileishmanial activity in Leishmania amazonensis promastigote cultures and is commonly used to treat infections, inflammations, ulcers, nervous conditions, and diarrhea. However, no studies have investigated its effects on genetic material. Therefore, we evaluated the genotoxic potential, antigenotoxic potential, and cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of T. cinerea leaves. In an in vitro genotoxicity study, human peripheral blood leukocytes were treated for 3, 24 (comet assay), or 48 h (cell death assay) with 22, 44, or 88 µg/mL plant extract. In the in vivo assay, Swiss mice were treated with 500, 1000, or 2000 mg extract/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection and were evaluated 24 h later. Antigenotoxicity was investigated in pre- and post-treatment assays in which the animals received the plant extract (2000 mg/kg) 24 h before or after receiving cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg), respectively. The extract had no genotoxic effects in the in vitro or in vivo assays. However, the extract reduced apoptotic cell death and induced necrotic cell death at concentrations that presented leishmanicidal activity in vitro. The extract also had an antigenotoxic effect, reducing the levels of genomic damage that were caused by cyclophosphamide in Swiss mice by more than 80%.

Evaluation of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of antileishmanial extract from Julocroton triqueter (Euphorbiaceae).

Julocroton triqueter extracts have antileishmanial activity; however, the effect on genetic stability has not been studied. We evaluated genotoxic and cell death induction potential (in vitro and in vivo) of J. triqueter var. triqueter hydroalcoholic extracts, as well as their antigenotoxic potential in vivo. The in vitro genotoxic studies were performed using human leukocytes at four different concentrations. For the in vivo tests, Swiss mice were treated with 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg of extract injected intraperitoneally. Antigenotoxic effects of the extract were measured before and after cyclophosphamide treatment. An absence of genotoxic effects was observed both in vitro and in vivo. In the antigenotoxic studies, no significant difference was observed between the treatments and the positive control, indicating that the extracts did not protect against damage caused by cyclophosphamide. Hydroalcoholic extracts of J. triqueter did not provoke DNA damage at concentrations and doses normally used for antileishmanial treatment; however, they reduced apoptotic cell death and induced necrotic cell death.