Abstract
Raphiodon echinus (R. echinus) is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, coughs, and infectious diseases. However, no information is available on the potential antioxidant, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of this plant. In this study, the polyphenolic constituents, antioxidant capacity and potential toxic effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. echinus on human erythrocytes and leukocytes were investigated for the first time. R. echinus extracts showed the presence of Gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic and ellagic acids, rutin, quercitrin and quercetin. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. echinus exhibited antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging with IC50 = 111.9 μg/mL (EtOH extract) and IC50 = 227.9 μg/mL (aqueous extract). The extracts inhibited Fe2+ (10 μM) induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation in rat brain and liver homogenates. The extracts (30–480 μg/mL) did not induce genotoxicity, cytotoxicity or osmotic fragility in human blood cells. The findings of this present study therefore suggest that the therapeutic effect of R. echinus may be, in part, related to its antioxidant potential. Nevertheless, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to ascertain the safety margin of its use in folk medicine.
Highlights
Some medicinal plants used in folk medicine can cause toxicity to humans and exhibit carcinogenicity and genotoxicity [1,2]
The lack of scientific evidence for the biological activities and safety profile of plant extracts used in traditional medicine have generated considerable concern in the scientific community
We investigated for the first time the potential antioxidant activity of R. echinus leaves extracts as well as its potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in human leukocytes
Summary
Some medicinal plants used in folk medicine can cause toxicity to humans and exhibit carcinogenicity and genotoxicity [1,2]. The genus Raphiodon (Lamiaceae) is represented by only one species, Raphiodon echinus (R. echinus), which is common to Eastern Brazil and typical of the “caatinga” (semi-arid vegetation) [5]. It is a prostrate herb with aromatic leaves and long pedunculate spherical heads with bright purple flowers, found in the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Ceará and Minas Gerais. Studies have shown that R. echinus exhibits antimicrobial [6], anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities [7]. These biological properties are generally attributed (at least in part) to the antioxidant activity. This study is important in view of the fact that it provides supportive information on the use of this plant in traditional medicine
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