Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Phenolic Compounds from Aqueous Extracts of Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. Cultivated Under Different Light Conditions.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. is a medicinal species widely used in Brazil for diseases of the urinary tract, kidney stones, infections and as a diuretic. The therapeutic property of this species is due to the production of phenolic compounds by secondary metabolism. However, cultivation conditions can alter the production of phenolic compounds and compromise the medicinal use of the species. The aim of this research was the evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of the species <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. grown with and without shading, on the <i>Allium cepa</i> cell cycle and also, determine the phenolic compounds present in the aqueous extracts in each of the cultivation conditions. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> For the <i>Allium cepa</i> test three concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 g L¹ of the aerial part of the plant were used for the preparation of aqueous extracts, referring to the two forms of cultivation, with and without shading. <b>Results:</b> The aqueous extracts of <i>Phyllanthus tenellus</i> Roxb. have cytotoxic activity, except for the 5 g L¹ concentration of the cultivation with shading, which is the only concentration that has a genotoxic effect. <b>Conclusion:</b> The incidence of light stimulates the increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds (total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins) in the species when cultivated in full sun.

Antiproliferative potential and phenolic compounds of infusions and essential oil of chamomile cultivated with homeopathy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chamomilla recutita (Asteraceae) is used worldwide as a soothing, anti-inflammatory and aromatherapy. In Brazil, it is one of the most cultivated medicinal species. However, the cultivation form may alter the production of compounds in the secondary metabolism and compromise the therapeutic purpose of this species. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of infusions and essential oil of chamomile, cultivated with homeopathy, on the cell cycle of Allium cepa, as well as the determination of the phenolic compounds present in the infusions of the chamomile inflorescences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the Allium cepa test, two concentrations of 10 and 40 g L-1 of inflorescences of chamomile were used for the preparation of the infusions and essential oil diluted to 0.10%, referring to the six treatments obtained in field cultivation, in which were carried out the applications of homeopathy from the emergence to the harvest of the plants. Distilled water and ethanol were used as negative control and glyphosate 2% as a positive control. The determination of phenolic compounds present in the infusions was carried by liquid chromatography in a UHPLC apparatus. RESULTS: Chamomile infusions at concentrations of 10 and 40 g L-1 of inflorescence reduced mitotic index and emphasized antiproliferative activity on the cell cycle of Allium cepa. However, the treatments related to essential oil diluted to 0.10% showed a response variation dependent on the dynamization used, as well as for apigenin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, cultivation with homeopathy does not induce a genotoxic effect in the use of infusions and essential oil of chamomile and it emphasize antiproliferative activity on the cell cycle of Allium cepa, favoring the sustainable cultivation and the safe use of this medicinal species when cultivated with homeopathy.

Uso de equipamentos de proteção por agricultores que utilizam agrotóxicos na relação com problemas de saúde / Use of protective equipment by farmers who use pesticides in relation to health problems / Uso de equipamientos de protección por agricultores que utilizan agrotóxicos en relación a problemas de salud

Objetivo: analisar o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual por agricultores que utilizam agrotóxicos na relação com problemas de saúde decorrentes desta prática. Método: estudo descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado no Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, no período de 2008 e 2009, com 434 agricultores. O instrumento de coleta de dados compreendeu características sociodemográficas, uso de EPIs e problemas de saúde. Na análise dos dados, foi empregada a estatística descritiva. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, protocolo 074/2008. Resultados: o perfil dos pesquisados é de homens, casados, com 40 anos ou mais de idade, que usam agrotóxicos e com baixa escolaridade. Predomina o uso de EPIs por agricultores nesta faixa etária ou mais. Os EPIs mais usados foram chapéu, bota, máscara, luva e macacão. Há uso de um EPI em detrimento de outro e, independente do uso dos equipamentos de proteção, apresentam problemas de saúde. Conclusão: as equipes da saúde e agronômica podem contribuir com intervenções educacionais a esse contingente populacional.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the use of personal protective equipment by farmers using pesticides in relation to health problems resulting from this practice. Method: descriptive study, with quantitative approach, performed in the Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, from 2008 to 2009, with 434 farmers. The data collection instrument comprised socio-demographic characteristics, use of PPE and health problems. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics was used. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, protocol 074/2008. Results: the profile of respondents is of men, married, aged 40 or older, who use pesticides and with low education levels. It is predominant the use of PPE by farmers in this age range or older. PPE most used were hat, boots, mask, glove and overalls. There is use of PPE over another and, regardless of the use of protective equipment, farmers present health problems. Conclusion: health and agronomic teams can contribute to educational interventions in this population group.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar el uso de equipamientos de protección individual por agricultores que utilizan agrotóxicos en relación a problemas de salud decurrentes de esta práctica. Método: estudio descriptivo, de enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en el Noroeste de Rio Grande do Sul, en el período de 2008 y 2009, con 434 agricultores. El instrumento de recolección de datos comprendió características socio-demográficas, uso de EPIs y problemas de salud. En el análisis de los datos, fue empleada la estadística descriptiva. El proyecto de investigación fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación, protocolo 074/2008. Resultados: el perfil de los investigadores es de hombres, casados, con 40 años o más, que usan agrotóxicos y con baja escolaridad. Predomina el uso de EPIs por agricultores en este grupo etario o más. Los EPIs más usados fueron sombrero, bota, máscara, guante y mono. Hay uso de un EPI en detrimento de otro e, independiente del uso de los equipamientos de protección, presentan problemas de salud. Conclusión: los equipos de salud y agronómica pueden contribuir con intervenciones educacionales a ese contingente poblacional.(AU)