Solanum paniculatum L. Leaf and Fruit Extracts: Assessment of Modulation of Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity by Micronucleus Test in Mice

Abstract

Solanum paniculatum L. is a plant species widespread throughout tropical America, especially in the Brazilian Savanna region. It is used in Brazil for culinary purposes and in folk medicine to treat liver and gastric dysfunctions, as well as hangovers. Previous studies with S. paniculatum ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) or ethanolic fruit extract (EFE) demonstrated that they have no genotoxic activity meant either in the micronucleus test in mice or in the phage induction SOS Inductest in bacterial strains; however, cytotoxicity was demonstrated in both tests. Because of the spread use of this plant as a therapeutic resource and food, the present study aimed at evaluating the modulator effects of S. paniculatum ELE or EFE against mitomycin C (MMC) using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. This short-term test was used to detect the acute effects of responsive erythropoiesis after 24- and 48-hour exposure periods. Swiss-Webster mice were orally treated with three different concentrations (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) of ELE or EFE simultaneously with a single dose of MMC (4 mg/kg i.p.). Antigenotoxicity was evaluated using the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs), whereas anticytotoxicity was assessed by the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte ratio. Our results demonstrated that neither the ELE nor EFE of S. paniculatum protected cells against the cytotoxic action of MMC. Nevertheless, the present study showed the antimutagenic effect of ELE after a 24-hour treatment (reduction in the frequencies of MNPCEs after a 48-hour treatment with ELE can be due to toxicity) and no antimutagenic action of the EFE treatment against the aneugenic and/or clastogenic activities of MMC.