Abstract
Schwartzia brasiliensis (Marcgraviaceae) is a native Brazilian shrub species with neotropical distribution in shoal environments. Recent studies have revealed its medicinal potential for some human diseases; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of extracts and fractions obtained from different organs of S. brasiliensis. To accomplish this, plant extracts at different concentrations (25, 125 and 250 µg/ml) were incubated with plasmid DNA, either alone, or in the presence of stannous chloride as a positive control. Samples were then examined to detect any plasmid strand breaks or the absence of such breaks, which would indicate protection of these molecules against stannous chloride-induced lesions. Methanol and aqueous extracts of leaves and stems showed the ability to withstand the effects of stannous chloride in that no DNA damage was observed. Moreover, no other extracts or fractions used in the experimental conditions assayed resulted in DNA damage. These findings suggest that S. brasiliensis has antigenotoxic properties, indicating, in turn, that its biological activities deserve further study given the medicinal relevance of this plant. Key words: Medicinal plant, Marcgraviaceae, stannous chloride, flavonoids. 
Highlights
Medicinal plants and their derivatives have been used as important sources of biologically active substances (Newman and Craag, 2012) that are known to promote health, treat illness, and cure, or prevent many diseasesJ
Schwartzia brasiliensis belongs to the Marcgraviaceae family, and it is found in shoal environments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
This is a shrub species whose flowering takes place in summer (Ferreira, 1995; Zamith and Scarano, 2004) and whose conspicuous inflorescences might be used for ornamental purposes
Summary
(Efferth and Grefen, 2014; Gurib-Fakim, 2006; Jachak and Saklani, 2007). Such phytomedicines are usually alternative or complementary options to treatments with synthetic drugs (Dragan et al, 2015; Olasehinde et al., 2014). Schwartzia brasiliensis belongs to the Marcgraviaceae family, and it is found in shoal environments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This is a shrub species whose flowering takes place in summer (Ferreira, 1995; Zamith and Scarano, 2004) and whose conspicuous inflorescences might be used for ornamental purposes
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