Benzophenone-3 sunscreen causes phytotoxicity and cytogenotoxicity in higher plants.

The benzophenone-3 (BP-3) sunscreen is recurrently released into the environment from different sources, however, evaluations of its adverse effects on plants do not exist in the literature. In this study, BP-3 was evaluated, at concentrations 2; 20, and 200 µg/L, regarding phytotoxicity, based on germination and root elongation in seeds, in Lactuca sativa L., Cucumis sativus L. and Allium cepa L., and phytotoxicity, cytogenotoxicity and oxidative stress in A. cepa bulb roots. The BP-3 concentrations, except for the 200 µg/L concentration in L. sativa, caused no significant reduction in seed germination. All concentrations tested significantly reduced the elongation of roots from seeds and roots from bulbs. The 20 and 200 µg/L concentrations caused oxidation in cells, disturbances in the cell cycle, and alterations in prophase and metaphase, as well as the induction of micronuclei, in A. cepa root meristems. Furthermore, the three concentrations induced a high number of prophases in root tips. Such disorders were caused by excess H2O2 and superoxide produced in cells due to exposure to BP-3, which triggered significant phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in root meristems. Thus, the recurrent contamination of agricultural and non-agricultural soils with BP-3, even at a concentration of 2 µg/L, represents an environmental risk for plants. These results point to the impending need to set limits for the disposal of this sunscreen into the environment since BP-3 has been used in industry for several decades.

Drug development, Brazilian biodiversity and political choices: Where are we heading?

The aim of this review was to (i) acknowledge structural advantages of natural products (NPs) for designing therapeutic drugs; (ii) emphasize how wildlife conservation is socially and economically necessary for scientific and commercial progress in Brazilian regions; and (iii) show how decisions by governmental regulations exert damaging effects on safeguarding of biodiversity. Natural products (NPs) from animals (e.g.: bufadienolides as marinobufagin), plants (diterpenes: casearin X and paclitaxel; triterpenes: betulinic acid) and microorganisms (depsipeptides: geodiamolides; antraciclines: doxorubicin) are the main source of oral drugs and have innate advantages for enteral and parenteral drug design, synthesis and combinational chemistry using novel techniques, including green chemistry. NPs possess high chemical diversity, binding flexibility to biological targets, chiral centers, aliphatic systems, hydrogen-bond acceptors and donors, and/or heteroatoms, and broad-spectrum pharmacological properties, including against malign disorders. Nonetheless, all Brazilian biomes and connected ecosystems have been systemically threatened since 2019 by the following fire, deforestation, monocultures, cattle raising, mining and/or oil spills mainly as consequence of financial cuts in key institutions which oversee environmental stability for terrestrial and marine Brazilian fauna and flora. Nevertheless, natural chemical entities, broad traditional knowledge on agrobiodiversity, fishing, fire management, and pioneering processes of economic interest play a vital role for "Science of Biodiversity," which arises as business bioeconomy opportunities to convert Brazil into a self-sufficient country for production of pharmaceutical supplies, cosmeticsand foods. Hence, Brazil needs sustainable development projects supported by government and scientific input if one wishes to use the chemical and biological biodiversity to treat individuals and improve the quality of life.

Toxicity of methylparaben and its chlorinated derivatives to Allium cepa L. and Eisenia fetida Sav.

Methylparaben, chloro-methylparaben, and dichloro-methylparaben were evaluated in Allium cepa at 5, 10, 50, and 100 µg/L and in Eisenia fetida at 10 and 100 µg/L. In A. cepa roots, 100 µg/L methylparaben and 50 and 100 µg/L chlorinated methylparabens reduced cell proliferation, caused cellular changes, and reduced cell viability in meristems, which caused a reduction in root growth. Furthermore, they caused drastic inhibition of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase; activated guaiacol peroxidase and promoted lipid peroxidation in meristematic root cells. In earthworms, after 14 days exposure to the three compounds, there were no deaths, and catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were not inhibited. However, guaiacol peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were observed in animals exposed to dichloro-methylparaben. Soils with dichloro-methylparaben also caused the escape of earthworms. It is inferred that the recurrent contamination of soils with these methylparabens, with emphasis on chlorinated derivatives, can negatively impact different species that depend directly or indirectly on soil to survive.

Prospecting toxicity of octocrylene in Allium cepa L. and Eisenia fetida Sav.

Octocrylene sunscreen is found in different environmental compartments. Unlike aquatic organisms, there are few studies evaluating the adverse effects caused by this pollutant on terrestrial plants, and no studies on soil fauna. In this study, octocrylene was evaluated at concentrations of 10, 100, and 1000 µg/L for phytotoxicity, cytogenotoxicity, and oxidative stress in Allium cepa L., and acute toxicity and oxidative stress in Eisenia fetida Sav. In A. cepa, at concentrations of 100 and 1000 µg/L, octocrylene reduced the germination potential in seeds, inhibited root elongation, and caused disturbance in cell division in roots. In E. fetida, the concentration of 1000 µg/L promoted an avoidance rate of 80%, while 10 µg/L caused a hormesis effect. The concentrations 100 and 1000 µg/L caused lipid peroxidation in A. cepa and E. fetida. Based on the results, the recurrent use of biosolids in soil fertilization, as well as the irrigation of plants with wastewater, with the presence of octocrylene can negatively impact the survival of different species that depend directly or indirectly on the soil.

Antimitotic and toxicogenetic action of Stevia urticifolia aerial parts on proliferating vegetal and mammalian cells: in vitro and in vivo traditional and replacement methods.

Stevia urticifolia Thunb. is an underexploited herb possessing bioactive flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. The aim of this study was to examine the antiproliferative and toxicogenetic properties of the ethyl acetate extract from Stevia urticifolia aerial parts (EtAcSur) upon Artemia salina, erythrocytes, Allium cepa and sarcoma 180 cells and fibroblasts, as well as in vivo studies on mice to determine systemic, macroscopic, and behavioral alterations and bone marrow chromosomal damage. The assessment using A. salina larvae and mouse blood cells revealed LC50 and EC50 values of 68.9 and 113.6 µg/ml, respectively. Root growth and mitosis were inhibited by EtAcSur, and chromosomal aberrations were detected only at 100 µg/ml. EtAcSur exhibited potent concentration-dependent viability reduction of S180 and L-929 cells and antioxidant capacity employing ABTS• and DPPH•. No previous in vivo studies were performed before with the EtAcSur. Signals of acute toxicity were not observed at 300 mg/kg. Physiological and toxicological investigations at 25 and 50 mg/mg/day i.p. for 8 days did not markedly change body or organ relative weights, nor patterns of spontaneous locomotor and exploratory activities. In contrast, clastogenic effects on bone marrow were found at 50 mg/mg/day. EtAcSur was found to (1) produce toxicity in microcrustaceans, (2) capacity as free radical scavenger, (3) antimitotic, cytotoxic and clastogenic activties upon vegetal and mammalian cells, and (4) lethality on both tumor and normal murine cells indistinctly. In vivo damage systemic effects were not remarkable and clinical signals of toxicity were not observed, suggesting the significant pharmacological potential of S. urticifolia for the development of antineoplastic agents.Abbreviations: ABTS: 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; EC50: effective concentration 50%; EtAcSur: ethyl acetate extract from Stevia urticifolia aerial parts; Hb, hemoglobin; IC50: inhibitory concentration 50%; LC50,: lethal concentration 50%; MI: mitotic index; RBC, red blood cells; Trolox: 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid.

Analytical validation of an ultraviolet-visible procedure for determining vitamin D3 in vitamin D3-loaded microparticles and toxigenetic studies for incorporation into food.

Vitamin D is a water-insoluble compound presented in two main forms (D2 and D3), susceptible to environmental conditions. Microencapsulation is an alternative to supplements and preserve vitamin D properties in foods. Entrapment efficiency (EE) is the main property to evaluate the encapsulation effectiveness and therefore it is of interest the study of analytical methods for the identification and quantification of this compound within the particle. This paper describes a low cost UV-Vis methodology validation to the identification and quantification of vitamin D3 in microparticles produced by hot homogenization. The method was validated following the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. To guarantee safe application in foodstuff, microparticles toxigenicity was evaluated with Allium cepa L. in vivo model, showing no cytotoxic nor genotoxic potential. High entrapment efficiency was obtained, the results also demonstrated that the concentration of vitamin D3 in microparticles can be safely accessed by the validated method.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of enzymatic and antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of curcumin-loaded solid dispersions.

Curcumin, the main bioactive polyphenolic compound in Curcuma longa L. rhizomes has a wide range of bioactive properties. Curcumin presents low solubility in water and thus limited bioavailability, which decreases its applicability. In this study, cytotoxic effects of curcumin solid dispersions (CurSD) were evaluated against tumor (breast adenocarcinoma and lung, cervical and hepatocellular carcinoma) and non-tumor (PLP2) cells, while cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were evaluated in Allium cepa. The effect of the CurSD on the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and monoamine oxidase (MAO A-B) enzymes was determined, as well as its capacity to inhibit the oxidative hemolysis (OxHLIA) and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). CurSD are constituted by nanoparticles that are readily dispersible in water, and inhibited 24% and 64% of the AChE and BChE activity at 100 µM, respectively. GST activity was inhibited at 30 µM while MAO-A and B activity were inhibited at 100 µM. CurSD showed cytotoxicity against all the tested tumor cell lines without toxic effects for non-tumor cells. No cytotoxic and genotoxic potential was detected with the Allium cepa test. CurSD maintained the characteristics of free curcumin on the in vitro modulation of important enzymes without appreciable toxicity.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Guaribas river water (Piauí, Brazil), influenced by anthropogenic action.

In general, tropical rivers have a great impact on human activities. Bioaccumulation of toxins is a worldwide problem nowadays and has been, historically, overlooked by the supervisory authorities. This study evaluated cytogenotoxic effects of Guaribas river (a Brazilian river) water during dry and rainy seasons of 2014 by using the Allium cepa test system. The toxicogenetic variables, including root growth, mitotic index, and chromosomal aberrations, were analyzed in meristematic cells of A. cepa exposed to water samples taken from the up-, within, and downstream of the city Picos (state: Piauí). The physical-chemical parameters were also analyzed to explain water quality and possible anthropogenic action. Additionally, the presence of heavy metals was also analyzed to explain water quality and possible damaging effects on eukaryotic cells. The results suggest that the river water exerted cytotoxic, mutagenic, and genotoxic effects, regardless of the seasons. In addition, Guaribas river presented physico-chemical values outside the Brazilian laws, which can be a characteristic of human pollution (domestic sewage, industrial, and local agriculture). The genetic damage was positively correlated with higher levels of heavy metals. The pollution of the Guaribas river water may link to the chemical contamination, including the action of heavy metals and their impacts on genetic instability in the aquatic ecosystem. In conclusion, necessary steps should be taken into account for further toxicogenetic studies of the Guaribas river water, as it has an influence in human health of the same region of Brazil.

Are salty liquid food flavorings in vitro antitumor substances?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of salty liquid synthetic flavorings of Butter, Cheddar Cheese and Onion. The antiproliferative potential (2.9-1500 µg/mL) was assessed by MTT assay after 72h using the human tumor lines SF-295 (glioblastoma), OVCAR-8 (ovarian), HCT-116 (colon) and HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia) and primary cultures of murine Sarcoma 180 (S180) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Allium cepa bulbs were exposed to growing respective doses (1 mL and 2 mL). Only Butter and Cheddar flavorings revealed cytotoxic activity on cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 125.4 µg/mL (Cheddar - HCT-116) to 402.6 µg/mL (Butter - OVCAR-8). Butter flavoring was the most cytotoxic on PBMC (136.3 µg/mL) and increased cell division rate in relation to the mitotic index but did not cause cellular aberrations. Onion and Cheddar flavorings reduced the mitotic index after 24h and 48h exposure, but only Onion flavoring resulted in cellular aberrations and mitotic spindle abnormalities, such as anaphase and telophase bridges, micronucleated cells, conchicine-metaphases and amplifications. So, Butter, Onion and/or Cheddar flavorings caused significant changes in the division of meristematic cells of A. cepa and presented cytotoxic action even on decontrolled proliferating human tumor cells.

Counteracting effects on free radicals and histological alterations induced by a fraction with casearins.

Casearia sylvestris Swartz is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Brazil. It has anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antitumor activities and is popularly used to treat snakebites, wounds, diarrhea, flu and chest colds. Its leaves are rich in oxygenated tricyclic cis-clerodane diterpenes, particulary casearins. Herein, we evaluated the antioxidant activities of a fraction with casearins (FC) isolated from C. sylvestris and histological changes on the central nervous system and livers of Mus musculus mice. Firstly, in vitro studies (0.9, 1.8, 3.6, 5.4 and 7.2 µg/mL) revealed EC50 values of 3.7, 6.4 and 0.16 µg/mL for nitrite, hydroxyl radical and TBARS levels, respectively. Secondly, FC (2.5, 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered to Swiss mice for 7 consecutive days. Nitrite levels in the hippocampus (26.2, 27.3, 30.2 and 26.6 µM) and striatum (26.3, 25.4, 34.3 and 27.5 µM) increased in all treated animals (P < 0.05). Lower doses dropped reduced glutathione, catalase and TBARS levels in the hippocampus and striatum. With the exception of this reduction in TBARS formation, FC displayed only in vitro antioxidant activity. Animals exhibited histological alterations suggestive of neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, indicating the need for precaution regarding the consumption of medicinal formulations based on Casearia sylvestris.

Immunonutrition effects in the treatment of cancer patients and itscomplications - a review / Efeitos da imunonutrição no tratamento de pacientes com câncer esuas complicações – uma revisão

The aim of this study was to review and summarize the data from the literature regarding the effects ofpre- and postoperative immunonutrition in the outcome of cancer patients. The review was conductedthrough literature searches in databases such as Medline/Pubmed, Scielo and Lilacs, from July toSeptember 2014, for articles investigating the effects of immunonutrition related to nutritional recoveryand pre- and post-operative procedures in cancer patients. We found 32 articles, 27 of which met theinclusion criteria, including review articles, case-control studies, epidemiological studies and crosssectionalstudies. From this literature review it was possible to see the benefits of using preoperativeimmunomodulating diet in cancer patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, including reduction ofseptic and inflammatory complications during postoperative period and hence the hospital length of stay.Thus, the use of immunonutrition has been shown to be capable to reverse organic and immunologicalchanges caused by both malnutrition and the tumor itself in cancer patients.

O objetivou deste trabalho foi revisar, de forma sucinta e objetiva, as evidências disponíveis nos bancos de dados digitais, sobre os efeitos da imunonutrição para a resposta ao tratamento de pacientes com câncer em pré e pós-operatório. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, por meio de buscas bibliográficas nos bancos de dados informatizados Medline/Pubmed, Scielo e Lilacs, no período de julho a setembro de 2014, de artigos que investigaram os efeitos da imunonutrição na recuperação do estado nutricional e em procedimentos pré e pós-operatório de pacientes com câncer. Foram encontrados 32 artigos, dos quais 27 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão do estudo, compreendendo artigos de revisão, caso-controle,epidemiológicos e transversais. A partir desta revisão de literatura foi possível verificar o benefício do uso da dieta imunomoduladora em pacientes oncológicos submetidos ao tratamento no pré-operatório de cirurgias de grande porte abdominal, diminuindo complicações sépticas e inflamatórias no período pós operatório e consequentemente o tempo de internação hospitalar. Dessa forma, o uso da imunonutrição mostra-se com capacidade de reverter alterações orgânicas e imunológicas causadas tanto pela desnutrição como pelo próprio tumor em pacientes com câncer.

Action of Ponceau 4R (E-124) food dye on root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L / Ação do corante alimentar Ponceau 4R (E-124) sobre as células meristemáticas de raízes de Allium cepa L

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Ponceau 4R food dye on the cell cycle in root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. at three concentrations: 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g L-1, at exposure times of 24 and 48 hours. For each concentration, we used a set of five onion bulbs that were first rooted in distilled water and then transferred to their respective concentrations. Radicles were collected and fixed in acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours. The slides were mounted with the crushing technique and stained with 2% acetic orcein. Cells were analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5,000 cells for each control and exposure time. The calculated mitotic indices were subjected to the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). From the results, we observed that the concentrations of 0.25 and 0.50 g L-1 at the 48-hour exposure, and the concentration of 0.75 g L-1, the two exposure times time significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the cell division rate. Importantly, all the three concentrations at the two exposure times tested caused cellular aberrations in significant numbers in this testing system. Therefore, under the conditions studied, the Ponceau 4R was cytotoxic.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a toxicidade do corante alimentar Ponceau 4R sobre as células meristemáticas de raízes de Allium cepa L., em três concentrações: 0,25; 0,50 e 0,75 g L-1, nos tempos de exposição de 24 e 48 horas. Para cada concentração utilizou-se um grupo de cinco bulbos de cebolas, que primeiramente foram enraizados em água destilada, e em seguida transferidos para as suas respectivas concentrações. As radículas foram coletadas e fixadas em ácido acético (3:1) por 24 horas. As lâminas foram preparadas pela técnica de esmagamento e coradas com orceína acética a 2%. Analisaram-se células em todo ciclo celular, totalizando 5.000 para cada controle e tempo de exposição. Os índices mitóticos calculados e as aberrações celulares observadas foram submetidos à análise estatística do Qui- quadrado (p < 0,05). A partir dos resultados observou-se que as concentrações 0,25 e 0,50 g L-1, no tempo de exposição de 48h, e a concentração 0,75 g L-1, nos dois tempos de exposição avaliados reduziram de forma significativa (p < 0,05) o índice de divisão celular do sistema teste em questão. Observou-se também que todas as três concentrações, nos dois tempos de exposição analisados, ocasionaram aberrações celulares em número significativo a este sistema teste. Portanto, nas condições analisadas, o Ponceau 4R foi citotóxico.

Action of aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves on meristematic root cells of Allium cepa L.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of dried Phyllanthus niruri L. (stonebreaker) leaves on Allium cepa L. root meristem cells at four concentrations, 0.02 (usual concentration), 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08mg/mL and exposure times of 24 and 48 hours. For each concentration we used a group of five onion bulbs that were first embedded in distilled water and then transferred to their respective concentrations. The radicles were collected and fixed in acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours. The slides were prepared by the crushing technique and stained with 2% acetic orcein. Cells were analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5000 for each control and exposure time. The calculated mitotic indices were subjected to the Chi-squared statistical analysis (p<0.05). From the results obtained it was observed that all four concentrations tested had significant antiproliferative effect on the cell cycle of this test system. We also found the presence of cellular aberrations such as colchicined metaphases, anaphasic and telophasic bridges, and micronuclei in the two exposure times for all concentrations evaluated. Therefore, under the conditions studied the concentrations of aqueous extracts of leaves of P. niruri showed to be cytotoxic and genotoxic.

Antiproliferative action of aqueous extracts of Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. (Fabaceae) on the cell cycle of Allium cepa L.

In this study we evaluated the action of crude aqueous extracts obtained from rhytidome of Hymenaea stigonocarpa (jatobá-do-cerrado) on Allium cepa meristematic root cells in three concentrations: 0.082, 0.164, 0.328g/mL, at exposure times of 24 and 48 h. The slides were prepared by the crushing technique, and cells analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5000 for each control group and concentration. It was found that all three concentrations, including the lowest which is considered ideal for use, in all exposure times, had significant antiproliferative action on the cell cycle of this test system. For cells under division, we observed a high number of cells in prophase. Therefore, under the conditions studied H. stigonocarpa indicated to be cytotoxic.

Cytotoxicity of erythrosine (E-127), brilliant blue (E-133) and red 40 (E-129) food dyes in a plant test system / Citotoxicidade dos corantes alimentares erythrosine (E-127), azul brilhante (E-133) e red 40 (E-129) em sistema-teste vegetal

The objective of this work was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the food dyes erythrosine, brilliant blue and red 40 on the cell cycle of Allium cepa L. Each dye was evaluated at doses of 0.4 and 4.0 ml, at exposure times of 24 and 48 hours, in onion root tip cells. Cells and the presence of chromosomal aberrations were analyzed throughout the whole cell cycle, totaling 5,000 cells for each group of bulbs. The mitotic index was calculated and the statistical analysis was conducted through the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). From the obtained results, it was verified that the food additives erythrosine and brilliant blue were not cytotoxic to the cells of the test system. However, the red 40 dye, at the two evaluated doses and the two exposure times used in this bioassay have promoted a significant reduction in cell division and induced the emergence of anaphasic and telophasic bridge aberrations and micronucleated cells. Additional cytotoxicity studies should be conducted to add information to these and other previously obtained results in order to evaluate, with property, the action of these three dyes on a cellular level.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito citotóxico dos corantes alimentares eritrosina, azul brilhante e vermelho 40 sobre o ciclo celular de Allium cepa L. Cada corante foi avaliado nas doses de 0,4 e 4,0mL, nos tempos de exposição de 24 e 48h, em células meristemáticas de raízes de cebolas. Foram analisadas células em todo o ciclo celular e a presença de aberrações cromossômicas, totalizando 5.000 células para cada grupo de bulbos. Calculou-se o índice mitótico e a análise estatística foi feita por meio do teste Qui-quadrado (p < 0,05). A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que os aditivos alimentares eritrosina e azul brilhante não foram citotóxicos às células do sistema-teste em questão. Já o corante vermelho 40, nas duas doses avaliadas e nos dois tempos de exposição estipulados para este bioensaio, promoveu redução significativa da divisão celular e induziu o aparecimento de aberrações dos tipos ponte anafásica, ponte telofásica e célula micronucleada. Estudos adicionais de citotoxicidade devem ser conduzidos para se somar a estes para assim avaliar, com propriedade, a ação destes três corantes em nível celular.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a natural antidepressant, Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort), on vegetal and animal test systems.

BACKGROUND: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum. METHODS: Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.

Avaliação do potencial citotóxico dos chás de Camellia sinensis L. e Cassia angustifolia vahl em sistema teste vegetal / Cytotoxic potencial evaluation from the Camellia sinensis and Cassia angustifolia vahl teas, in vegetal test system

Os chás de Camellia sinensis (chá verde) e Cassia angustifolia (chá sene) são amplamente consumidos pela população brasileira, em função de suas propriedades antioxidantes e laxativas, respectivamente. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a citotoxicidade do chá de Camellia sinensis e do chá de Cassia angustifolia, dos quais se obteve três amostras (soluções-tratamento) para cada chá: chá verde - 0,57; 1,15 e 2,30%m/V e chá sene - 0,85; 1,70 e 3,40%m/V. Para esta avaliação, utilizou-se as células meristemáticas de raiz de Allium cepa L. e estabeleceram-se 3 grupos: CO (0h), TR (24h) e RE (24h). Foram analisadas 5.000 células por grupo, para o cálculo do índice mitótico médio de cada grupo e a análise estatística foi feita pelo teste do Qui-quadrado. A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que as amostras testadas dos chás das duas plantas não causaram ação citotóxica, estatisticamente significativa, e nem alterações cromossômicas no sistema teste utilizado.

The Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Cassia angustifolia (sene tea) teas are very consumed by the Brazilian population for its antioxidants and laxative properties, respectively. In this work it was evaluated the Camellia sinensis tea and Cassia angustifólia cytotocity, where it was obtained three samples (treatment-solutions) for each tea: green tea - 0,57; 1,15 e 2,30%m/V e sene tea - 0,85; 1,70 e 3,40%m/V. For this evaluation it was used the embryonic tissue from the Allium cepa roots and it was established three groups: CO (0h), TR (24h) and RE (24h). 5.000 cells were analyzed in each group and the statistic was made by the Qui-square test. As of the obtained results, it was verified that the both plants tested samples tea didn?t cause cytotoxic action, statistically significant, not even chromosome alterations, in the used test system.