Evaluation of cytotoxic potential, oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of organic extracts of Pityrocarpa moniliformis.

The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of organic extracts of P. moniliformis in vitro and identify the acute toxicity and genotoxicity in vivo. The leaves were extracted using three organic solvents (cyclohexane [EP1], ethyl acetate [EP2], and methanol [EP3]). Phytochemical qualitative analysis was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Cytotoxicity tests were performed on human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and J774 murine macrophages. Acute toxicity in mice was measured after intraperitoneal (ip) administration of 2000 mg/kg, while evaluation of genotoxicity and mutagenicity were assessed using the comet assay and the micronucleus (MN) test, respectively. The TLC analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, and saponins. In the cytotoxicity assay, extracts EP1 and EP3 altered proliferation of HEK cells, and all organic extracts increased the viability of J774 cells. In the toxicity tests, no deaths or behavioral alterations were observed in mice exposed to the acute dose of the extracts. Although some extracts led to changes in hematological and histological parameters, these results did not indicate physiological changes. In relation to the MN test and comet assay, no significant changes were detected in the DNA of the animals tested with the extracts EP1, EP2, and EP3. Thus, extracts of P. moniliformis were not considered to be toxic and did not induce formation of MN or damage to cellular DNA in the genotoxicity tests.

Evaluation of acute toxicity, genotoxicity and inhibitory effect on acute inflammation of an ethanol extract of Morus alba L. (Moraceae) in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Morus alba L. (white mulberry) is used in traditional medicine worldwide, including Brazil. The leaves of this plant are used to treat inflammatory disorders. Universal interest in this plant necessitates studies on the toxicological safety and scientific substantiation of the medicinal properties of M. alba. In previous work, we investigated the acute toxicity of orally administered M. alba ethanol extract in mice. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work was designed to investigate the ethanol extract obtained from M. alba leaves for acute toxicity when intraperitoneally administered, in vivo genotoxicity, and potential to reduce acute inflammation. In order to further investigate the constituents of the extract, we also obtained the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed and the results were used to obtain the HPLC fingerprint. Acute toxicity of 300 and 2000mg/kg b.w. i.p. doses administered to mice for 14 days was evaluated. Genotoxicity was evaluated by counting the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the blood of mice that either received or did not receive the extract at 75, 150 and 300mg/kg b.w. per os. The anti-inflammatory effect of the same doses administered per os was investigated using the carrageenan air pouch model. RESULTS: The TLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of a remarkable amount of flavonoids and cinnamic acids. The HPLC fingerprint showed the presence of one major peak corresponding to chlorogenic acid and two smaller peaks corresponding to flavonoids. In the toxicity assays, there were no deaths or deviations in behavior of treated mice as compared to the control at any dose. However, biochemical, hematological, and histological analyses showed that intraperitoneal injection caused several forms of damage to the mice, which were not observed in case of oral administration, studied in our previous work. Oral administration of the extract did not result in genotoxicity and considerably reduced (58.6-65.6% inhibition) leukocyte migration in all doses evaluated, in comparison with the negative control. CONCLUSIONS: The ethanol extract from M. alba leaves administered intraperitoneally possesses a greater degree of toxicity in mice when compared to per os administration. The extract was not genotoxic when ingested by mice and exhibited a highly inhibitory effect against acute inflammation, which is probably linked to the presence of chlorogenic acid and flavonoids in the composition. This work contributes to the determination of safety of the medicinal use of M. alba leaves.