Abstract
The medicinal plant Vochysia divergens is a colonizing tree species of the Pantanal, a unique and little explored wetland region in Brazil. This species is used in folk medicine as syrups and teas to treat respiratory infections, digestive disorders, asthma, scarring, and skin diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential of the ethanolic extract of Vochysia divergens leaves (VdE), as well as the influence of VdE and its major component (the flavone 3′,5-dimethoxy luteolin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside; 3′5 DL) on MMS-induced genotoxicity. The extract significantly reduced the viability of V79 cells in the colorimetric XTT assay at concentrations ≥ 39 μg/mL. A significant increase in micronucleus frequencies was observed in V79 cell cultures treated with VdE concentrations of 160 and 320 μg/mL. However, animals treated with the tested doses of VdE (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg b.w.) exhibited frequencies that did not differ significantly from those of the negative control group, indicating the absence of genotoxicity. The results also showed that VdE was effective in reducing MMS-induced genotoxicity at concentrations of 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL in the in vitro test system and at a dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. in the in vivo test system. Its major component 3′5 DL exerted no protective effect, suggesting that it is not responsible for the effect of the extract. The results of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed that VdE was able to scavenge 92.6% of free radicals. In conclusion, the results suggest that the protective effect of VdE may be related, at least in part, to the antioxidant activity of its chemical constituents.
Highlights
The use of medicinal products derived from plants has increased considerably over the last three decades, with about 80% of people using these products for primary health care [1]
As settlers of the wetlands of the Brazilian Pantanal, this species is considered an invasive plant that is widely tolerant to seasonal variations in hydrological conditions and is resistant to the dry season as well as to the seasonal floods that occur during the rainy season in the Pantanal [6]
There was a significant increase of micronucleus frequencies in cultures treated with Vochysia divergens leaves (VdE) at concentrations of 160 and 320 μg/mL when compared to the negative control group
Summary
The use of medicinal products derived from plants has increased considerably over the last three decades, with about 80% of people using these products for primary health care [1]. The Brazilian Cerrado, located in the central region of the country, is one of the most extensive biomes (204 million hectares) and is considered the richest tropical grassland in the world in terms of biodiversity and the second largest biome in South America [2]. It is estimated that only 30% of this biodiversity is reasonably known [3]. Plants endemic to the Cerrado have been receiving increased attention as a source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic compounds [4], substances with known antioxidant, chemopreventive, cytoprotective, antimutagenic, antiestrogenic, and antiangiogenic activities [5]. The main nutritional reserves of its seeds are proteins, oils, and few carbohydrates [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
