Assessment of the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic activities of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) in mice.

Ethnobotanical surveys of Cerrado native plants show that leaves of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent (Cannabaceae), popularly known in Brazil as "esporão de galo", are used in folk medicine for body pain, asthma, cramps, poor digestion, urinary infection, kidney dysfunctions, as well as a stimulant and diuretic. This work aimed at evaluating possible C. iguanaea aqueous leaf extract (CALE) cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antigenotoxicity using the mouse bone marrow micronucleous test. To assess CALE genotoxicity, Swiss mice were orally treated with three different extract concentrations (100, 300, and 500 mgkg-1). To evaluate its antigenotoxicity, the same doses were used simultaneously with a single i.p. dose of mitomycin C (MMC, 4mg.kg-1). The frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) were evaluated 24 h and 48 h after administration except for the negative control (24 h). Genotoxicity was evaluated using the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE), whereas cytotoxicity was assessed by the polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes ratio (PCE/NCE). The results showed that CALE did not exhibit a significant reduction in the PCE/NCE ratio, neither a considerable increase in the frequency of MNPCE. Nonetheless, CALE reduced bone marrow toxicity (increased PCE/NCE ratio) and decreased the micronuclei frequency induced by MMC. We can conclude that CALE presented no cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, but showed antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic actions under the experimental conditions applied in this study.

Preliminary studies of gastroprotective effect of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent leaves (Ulmaceae).

Antiulcerogenic activity of crude ethanolic extract of Celtis iguanaea leaves (CEE) was observed with experimental models such as ethanol, indomethacin, stress and pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers. Results obtained from indomethacin-induced ulcer showed the hexane fraction (HF) as the active fraction of CEE. This fraction inhibits the gastric acid secretion, increasing the gastric pH, decreasing the gastric acidity and total gastric contents. Neither the CEE nor the HF alters intestinal motility, thereby excluding a cholinergic antagonist mechanism. Further studies need to be conducted with HF in order to elucidate the active principle and the pharmacological mechanism involved.

Morfo-anatomia do desenvolvimento de celtis iguanaea (jacq.) sarg. (ulmaceae) submetida ao alagamento e à submersão / Developmental morphology and anatomy of celtis iguanaea (jacq.) sarg. (ulmaceae) submitted to flooding and submersion

Celtis iguanaea es una especie pionera de la vegetación rebaliera. Las plantas de esta especie que ocurren en la planicie de inundación, con el eófilo completamente extendido, fueron sometidas a los siguientes tratamientos: capacidad de campo, anegadas por 25, 50 y 75 días y sumergidas por 25 y 50 días. Se constató que el anegamiento y la sumersión inhiben el crecimiento de las plantas causando una disminución de la materia seca de la parte aérea y la raíz. Plantas hundidas también presentaron abscisión foliar, degeneración del sistema radicular y un proceso precoz de senescencia. Después de 50 días de sumersión, todas las plantas murieron. Las plantas anegadas y sumergidas presentaron crecimiento secundario reducido de la raíz, hipocótilo y epicótilo. Las plantas anegadas por 75 días presentaron lenticelas y mayor número de pelos absorbentes. Los cotiledones y eófilo de las plantas anegadas y sumergidas no presentaron alteraciones anatómicas evidentes. El porcentaje de espacios intercelulares tampoco fue alterado. Celtis iguanaea, al presentar algunos caracteres que posiblemente se adapten a las condiciones de saturación hídrica del suelo, puede ser considerada como planta intolerante del anegamiento y la sumersión por un largo período.

Celtis iguanaea is a pioneer species of ciliary forest. In order to elucidate aspects of tolerance to the flooding andthe submersion, plants were submitted to the following treatments: field capacity, flooded for 25, 50 and 75 days and submerged by 25 and 50 days. It was verified that the flooding and the submersion inhibit the growth of the plants (decrease of the dry weight of the aerial part and root). Plants submerged also presented chlorosis, leaf abscission, degeneration of the root system and precocious senescence. After 50 days of submersion, all the plants died. Submerged and flooded plants presented reduced secondary growth of the root, hipocotyl and epicotyl. Flooded plants for 75 days presented lenticels and larger number of absorbent hairs. Cotyledons and eophylls of the flooded and submerged plants did not present evident anatomical alterations. Percentage of intercellular spaces in the root cortex was also not altered. Celtis iguanaea can be considered as intolerant plant to the flooding and the submersion, for long period.