Copaifera multijuga oleoresin and its constituent diterpene (-)-copalic acid: Genotoxicity and chemoprevention study.

Copaiba oleoresins are used in alternative medicine as anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, and antimicrobial treatments. (-)-Copalic acid (CA) is the major diterpene found in exudates from Copaifera species. We have examined the genotoxicity and the chemopreventive potential of Copaifera multijuga oleoresin (CM) and CA. Genotoxicity assessment was examined with the peripheral blood micronucleus test and the comet assay (male Swiss mouse hepatocytes). In the chemoprevention study, we evaluated the effects of CM and CA on the formation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in male Wistar rat colon. Neither agent caused a significant increase in micronucleus frequency relative to controls, but the highest CM dose tested (400mg/kg b.w.) caused DNA damage in the comet assay. Both agents significantly reduced the frequency of DMH-induced ACF. Both CM and CA suppressed ACF formation and may have a protective effect against colon carcinogenesis.