The safe use of Doliocarpus dentatus in the gestational period: Absence of changes in maternal reproductive performance, embryo-fetal development and DNA integrity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Doliocarpus dentatus (Dilleniaceae) is commonly used in Brazil for the treatment of inflammatory process pain and urinary retention. Previous studies of our group have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antimycobacterial action of the ethanolic extract of Doliocarpus dentatus (EEDd) as well as the safety of its use. AIM OF THE STUDY: we investigated the effects of EEDd on reproductive performance, fetal development and DNA integrity in pregnant female Swiss mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: thirty female Swiss mice were divided into three experimental groups (n = 10): control group treated with 1% tween-80 and EEDd1 and EEDd2 groups treated with EEDd at doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. The treatment occurred by oral gavage throughout the gestational period. At the end of pregnancy, parameters related to reproductive performance, embryofoetal development and DNA integrity was evaluated. RESULTS: both doses of the extract tested did not alter the reproductive parameters, did not present significant differences in the embryofetal development when compared to the control group and also did not induce the formation of micronuclei. CONCLUSION: the EEDd do not alter the reproductive parameters, embryofetal development and DNA integrity, ensuring its safe use during pregnancy.

Anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial and genotoxic evaluation of Doliocarpus dentatus.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Doliocarpus dentatus is a medicinal plant widely used in Mato Grosso do Sul State for removing the swelling pain caused by the inflammation process and for treating urine retention. AIM OF THE STUDY: The genotoxic aspects and the anti-inflammatory and antimycobacterial activity of the ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of D. dentatus (EEDd) were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EEDd was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the compound composition was evaluated and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The mice received oral administration of EEDd (30-300mg/kg) in carrageenan models of inflammation, and EEDd (10-1000mg/kg) was assayed by the comet, micronucleus, and phagocytosis tests and by the peripheral leukocyte count. RESULTS: Phenols (204.04mg/g), flavonoids (89.17mg/g), and tannins (12.05mg/g) as well as sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, betulinic acid and betulin were present in the EEDd. The value of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EEDd was 62.5µg/mL. The EEDd induced a significant decrease in the edema, mechanical hypersensitivity and leukocyte migration induced by carrageenan. The comet and micronucleus tests indicated that the EEDd was not genotoxic. The EEDd also did not change the phagocytic activity or the leukocyte perLipheral count. CONCLUSIONS: The EEDd does not display genotoxicity, phagocytosis and could act as an antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. This study should contribute to ensuring the safe use of EEDd.