Genotoxic evaluation of sibipiruna extract (Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth) in vivo

Abstract

Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth, popularly known as sibipiruna or false brazilwood, is an ornamental species with wood potential and with great distribution in Brazil. The genus Caesalpinia has more than five hundred species, most of which have not yet been studied for their pharmacological potential. Several species of the genus are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sibipiruna leaf and flower extract on Cyclophosphamide (CP) induced DNA damage in male Swiss mice using the micronucleus test. The animals (6 animals/group) were treated for 15 consecutive days with ethanolic extract (via gavage) and on day 15 received intraperitoneally NaCl (0.9%) or CP (25 mg/Kg), being sacrificed 24 hours after treatment to evaluate the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs). The results showed that pretreatment with the ethanolic flower extract and sibipiruna leaf, under the conditions tested, did not reduce the frequency of MNPCEs induced by CP when compared to the positive control group. However, the groups treated only with the ethanolic extract of sibipiruna flowers and leaves significantly increased the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow when compared to the negative control group, thus demonstrating a possible mutagenic effect. Therefore, it was possible to verify that sibipiruna did not present antimutagenic activity, but a plant with possible mutagenic action in the concentrations used.