In vitro and in vivo cytogenotoxic effects of hot aqueous extract of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC

Abstract

Achyrocline satureioides is a plant popularly used for consumption and medicinal purpose. Therefore, it is necessary to study it toxicity in order to evaluate the potential risk for human. In this work we extend the toxicological studies of hot aqueous extract of A. satureioides (As-HAE) evaluating cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We also determine genotoxic action of this extract in vivo. In addition, the extract was chemically characterized. Finally, we established a comparison with previous data of cold aqueous extract. The As-HAE induced cytotoxic effects on human PBMCs determined by trypan blue dye exclusion (CC50=653μg/mL) and MTT (CC50=588 μg/mL) assays being more toxic than cold aqueous extract. However, As-HAE as well as cold aqueous extract did not induce apoptosis in these cells, measured by Hoechst 33258 staining, TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation analysis. The in vivo micronucleus test showed that As-HAE exerted cyto-genotoxic effects on bone marrow of mice, contrary to observed with cold aqueous extract. The chemical study of the As-HAE allowed identifying the flavonoids found in cold aqueous extract: luteolin, quercetin and 3-O-methylquercetin, but at higher concentrations. We suggest that toxic effects induced by As-HAE could be due to high concentrations of these flavonoids. Given that As-HAE is the most used in folkloric medicine their administration should be controlled in order to prevent potential cell damage.