Post-treatment with plant extracts used in Brazilian folk medicine caused a partial reversal of the antiproliferative effect of glyphosate in the Allium cepa test

Viviane Dal-Souto Frescura,Rielle Wouters Kuhn,Haywood Dail Laughinghouse Iv,Solange Bosio Tedesco,Ju茿Ra Terezinha Paranhos

doi:10.32604/biocell.2013.37.023

Abstract

Species of the genus Psychotria are used for multiple purposes in Brazilian folk medicine, either as water infusions, baths or poultices. This study was aimed to evaluate the genotoxic and antiproliferative effects of infusions of Psychotria brachypoda and P. birotula on the Allium cepa test. Exposure to distilled water was used as a negative control, while exposure to glyphosate was used as a positive control. The interaction of extracts (as a post-treatment) with the effects of glyphosate was also studied. Results showed that glyphosate and the extracts of both P. brachypoda and P. birotula reduced the mitotic index as compared with the negative control (distilled water). Surprisingly, however, both extracts from P. brachypoda and P. birotula caused a partial reversal of the antiproliferative effect of glyphosate when used as a post-treatment. Glyphosate also induced the highest number of cells with chromosomal alterations, which was followed by that of P. birotula extracts. However, the extracts from P. brachypoda did not show any significant genotoxic effect. Post-treatment of glyphosate-treated samples with distilled water allowed a partial recovery of the genotoxic effect of glyphosate, and some of the Psychotria extracts also did so. Notably, post-treatment of glyphosate-treated samples with P. brachypoda extracts induced a statistically significant apoptotic effect. It is concluded that P. brachypoda extracts show antiproliferative effects and are not genotoxic, while extracts of P. birotula show a less potent antiproliferative effect and may induce chromosomal abnormalities. The finding of a partial reversion of the effects of glyphosate by a post-treatment with extracts from both plants should be followed up.

Highlights

The economic potential of medicinal species that are native to Brazil is huge and these species are considered a natural resource worthy of preservation and optimization of their use (Pereira et al, 2006).The flora of Rio Grande do Sul features Psychotria brachypoda
The antiproliferative effect of glyphosate treatment was not modified by the post-treatment with distilled water for 24 h, but post-treatment with both doses of P. brachypoda and P. birotula extracts caused a partial reversal of the effect of glyphosate
We are reporting here that water extracts from both P. brachypoda and P. birotula significantly reduced the mitotic index as compared with the negative control

Summary

Introduction

The economic potential of medicinal species that are native to Brazil is huge and these species are considered a natural resource worthy of preservation and optimization of their use (Pereira et al, 2006). The flora of Rio Grande do Sul features Psychotria brachypoda (Rubiaceae) (Dillenburg and Porto, 1985) among several other medicinal species. The most popular internal uses of infusions of Psychotria species include bronchial, gastrointestinal and female reproductive disorders, as well as being considered an aid in the pre- and postpartum periods. External uses as poultices and baths are popular for the treatment of fever, headaches and earaches and for skin and eye disorders (Adjibadé, 1989 apud Paranhos, 2003; Lajis et al, 1993; Perry, 1980)

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