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Arachis hypogaea L. (Leguminosae) is distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. Peanut has high nutritional and commercial value. Scientific research showed that peanut has biological properties such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory. However, it is necessary to know if consumption of peanut, either as food or as a phytopharmaceutical implies a health risk. The aim was to evaluate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of ethanolic extracts from A. hypogaea . Also, chemical characterization of these extracts was performed. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assays on Vero cells. Genotoxicity was studied by Micronuclei and comet assays on Balb/C mice. Qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of extracts were performed. Results showed that extracts have low cytotoxicity. Tegument ethanolic extract (TEE) and Seed ethanolic extract (SEE) were not genotoxic. The treatments with TEE at 250 mg/kg and SEE at 2000 mg/kg revealed (highest concentrations evaluated) some toxicity on blood marrow cells of mice. Chemical characterization indicated that TEE had 74.33 ± 1.10 mg GAE/g of dried extract and SEE had 15.05 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g of dried extract of total phenolic content. Also, proanthocyanidins (O.D. at 550 nm 1.39 ± 0.15) and caffeic acid (2.46%) were identified in TEE. While, linoleic acid (58.84%) oleic acid (11.31%) and palmitic acid (8.37%) were major compounds of SEE. In conclusion, peanut consumption is safe at concentrations recommended for healthy uses, such as nutrition, and phytomedicine., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Zoonotic hepatitis E, mainly caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype (gt) 3, is a foodborne disease that has emerged in Europe in recent decades. The main animal reservoir for genotype 3 is domestic pigs. Pig liver and liver derivates are considered the major risk products, and studies focused on the presence of HEV in pig muscles are scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in different organs and tissues of 45 apparently healthy pigs from nine Spanish slaughterhouses (50% national production) that could enter into the food supply chain. Anti-HEV antibodies were evaluated in serum by an ELISA test. Ten samples from each animal were analyzed for the presence of HEV RNA by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The overall seroprevalence obtained was 73.3% (33/45). From the 450 samples analyzed, a total of 26 RT-qPCR positive samples were identified in the liver (7/45), feces (6/45), kidney (5/45), heart (4/45), serum (3/45), and diaphragm (1/45). This is the first report on detection of HEV RNA in kidney and heart samples of naturally infected pigs. HEV RNA detection was negative for rib, bacon, lean ham, and loin samples. These findings indicate that pig meat could be considered as a low risk material for foodborne HEV infection., (Copyright © 2020 García, Hernández, Gutierrez-Boada, Valero, Navarro, Muñoz-Chimeno, Fernández-Manzano, Escobar, Martínez, Bárcena, González, Avellón, Eiros, Fongaro, Domínguez, Goyache and Rodríguez-Lázaro.)

Thermoluminescence dosimetry properties of novel MgO-CeO 2 obtained by solution combustion synthesis in a glycine-nitrate process, are presented for the very first time. X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of cubic MgO and cerianite (CeO 2 ) for the annealed powder samples. Dosimetry features such as linear behaviour of the dose response without saturation in the dose interval studied, as well as asymptotic behaviour of the thermoluminescent signal fading place MgO-CeO 2 phosphor as a promising material for low-dose radiation dosimetry applications., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study aimed to characterize the chlorogenic acid (ChlA) capacity to reverse the toxic effects induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in a subacute toxicity test in rats. Male Wistar rats were fed orally by gavage for 28 days with OTA (0.4mg/kg bw/day), ChlA (5mg/kg bw/day) or the combination OTA (0.4mg/kg bw/day)+ChlA (5mg/kg bw/day). No deaths, no decrease in feed intake or body weight in any experimental group were recorded. The negative control group and the animals treated with ChlA alone showed no changes in any parameters evaluated. In OTA-treated group significant changes such as decrease in urine volume, proteinuria, occult blood, increase in serum creatinine values; decrease in absolute and relative kidney weight and characteristics histopathological lesions that indicated kidney damage were observed. However, limited effect on oxidative stress parameters were detected in kidneys of OTA-treated group. Animals treated with the combination OTA+ChlA were showed as negative control group in the evaluation of several parameters of toxicity. In conclusion, ChlA, at given concentration, improved biochemical parameters altered in urine and serum and pathological damages in kidneys induced by OTA exposure, showing a good protective activity, but not by an apparent antioxidant mechanism., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of luteolin (L), chlorogenic acid (ChlA) and caffeic acid (CafA) against cyto-genotoxic effects caused by OTA. Vero cells and rat lymphocytes were used and viability was measured by neutral red uptake, MTT and trypan blue dye exclusion method. L (50 and 100μg/mL), ChlA (100 and 200μg/mL) and CafA (10-50μg/mL) reduced the damage induced by OTA (10μg/mL) on both cells type shown a good protective effect. The comet and micronucleus tests in Balb/c mice were performed. ChlA (10mg/kg bw) reduced OTA (0.85mg/kg bw)-induced DNA damage on blood and bone marrow cells, CafA (10mg/kg bw) showed protective effect only in blood cells and luteolin (2.5mg/kg bw) failed to protect DNA integrity on cells. In conclusion, polyphenols tested reduced the toxicity caused by OTA on different target cells with good protective effect, being ChlA the compound that showed the best effects., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Minthostachys verticillata (Lamiaceae), popularly known as peperina is largely used in popular medicine for its digestive, carminative, antispasmodic and antirheumatic properties. There are no reports of repeated exposure toxicity to guarantee their safety. The present study investigated the chemical composition, analyzed by GC-FID, and the 90-day toxicity and genotoxicity effect of M. verticillata essential oil (Mv-EO), using Wistar rats as test animals. The rats were divided into four groups (5 rats/sex/group) and Mv-EO was administered on diet at doses of 0, 1, 4 and 7 g/kg feed. The main components of Mv-EO were pulegone (64.65%) and menthone (23.92%). There was no mortality, adverse effects on general conditions or changes in body weight, food consumption and feed conversion efficiency throughout the study in male and female rats. Subchronic administration of Mv-EO did not alter the weights, morphological and histopathological analyses of liver, kidney and intestine. Genotoxicity was tested by micronucleus and comet assays. Mv-EO up to a concentration of 7 g/kg feed for 90 days did not exert a cyto-genotoxic effect on the bone marrow and cells blood of Wistar rats. These results suggest that Mv-EO appears to be safe and could be devoid of any toxic risk., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this work we extend the toxicological studies of hot aqueous extract of A. satureioides (As-HAE) evaluating cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We also determine genotoxic action of this extract in vivo. In addition, the extract was chemically characterized. Finally, we established a comparison with previous data of cold aqueous extract. The As-HAE induced cytotoxicity on PBMCs determined by trypan blue dye exclusion (CC50 = 653 μg/mL) and MTT (CC50 = 588 μg/mL) assays being more toxic than cold extract. However, As-HAE as well as cold extract did not induce apoptosis measured by Hoechst 33258 staining, TUNEL assay, and DNA fragmentation analysis. The in vivo micronucleus test showed that As-HAE exerted cytogenotoxic effects on bone marrow of mice, contrary to what was observed with cold extract. The chemical study of As-HAE allowed identifying the flavonoids found in cold extract: luteolin, quercetin, and 3-O-methylquercetin, but at higher concentrations. We suggest that toxic effects induced by As-HAE could be due to high concentrations of these flavonoids. Given that As-HAE is the most used in folkloric medicine, its administration should be controlled in order to prevent potential cell damage.

Achyrocline satureioides is widely consumed as infusion or aperitif and shows important therapeutic properties. Previously, we reported absence of genotoxicity of cold aqueous extract (CAE) of A. satureioides by Allium test. However, one test cannot predict the genotoxic effects of a substance. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and apoptotic ability of CAE of A. satureioides. In addition, CAE was chemically characterized. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by Trypan blue and MTT assays. The apoptotic capacity was evaluated by Hoechst staining and DNA fragmentation-analysis. The genotoxicity was studied by comet assay (CA) and micronucleus test. The identification and quantification of flavonoids were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The cytotoxicity studies indicated low toxicity of CAE. In addition, CAE did not induce apoptotic effects on human PBMCs. CAE did not show genotoxicity in vitro against Vero cells, at 10-50 μg/mL. CAE did not induce in vivo genotoxic effects, but it showed at high concentrations cytotoxicity by micronucleus assay. CAE presented flavonoids such as quercetin, 3-O-methylquercetin and luteolin. In conclusion, A. satureioides at popularly concentrations used, in aperitif or infusion, can be consumed safely because did not show any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Minthostachys verticillata (peperina) is an aromatic and medicinal plant with several uses and ethnobotanical properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated that its essential oil (Mv-EO) presents antimicrobial capacity and shows immunomodulating and anti-allergic properties in human cell lines. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the main chemical composition, analyzed by GC-FID, and the cyto-genotoxic effects of Mv-EO, using Vero cells, human PBMCs and mice bone marrow cells. The Mv-EO was rich in pulegone 60.5% and menthone 18.2%. Our results clearly show that Mv-EO is not cyto-genotoxic in vitro nor in vivo. It not induced cytotoxic effects, as indicated by trypan blue dye exclusion and NRU assays both in Vero cells and human PBMCs. In addition, Mv-EO (100-1000 μg/mL) not induced apoptotic effects on human PBMCs, as indicated by Hoechst staining and DNA fragmentation analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis. The in vivo assay showed that Mv-EO (25-500 mg/kg) not increased the frequency of micronucleus in bone marrow cells of mice. Further, the ratio of polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocytes was not modified. These findings suggest that Mv-EO appears to be safe as a therapeutic agent., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Achyrocline satureioides (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Argentina for the treatment of intestinal infections and various digestive disorders. Its infusion is widely utilised for respiratory problems and viral infections. The objective of this study was to investigate cytotoxicity, virucidal and antiviral properties of the cold aqueous extract (CAE) and hot aqueous extract (HAE) of this plant against Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Cytotoxicity in Vero cells was evaluated by maximum non-cytotoxic concentration (MNCC), neutral red (NR) uptake and MTT reduction methods. To study the antiviral activity of aqueous extracts, plaque reduction assay was performed after pre-treatment of host cells, adsorption, penetration and post-penetration of the virus. Extracellular virus inactivation was also analysed by the same method. Extracts showed strong inhibitory activity after virus penetration with selective index values of 32 (NR) and 63.3 (MTT) for the CAE, and 16.2 (NR) and 24.3 (MTT) for the HAE. Both extracts exhibited virucidal action with lower efficacy than their antiviral properties. The present results demonstrate that aqueous extracts of A. satureioides are active against WEEV. Further studies are needed in order to identify which compounds could be responsible for this effect, and how they exert antiviral action.

The methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus was evaluated for its antiviral activity against the pseudorabies virus strain RC/79 (PrV), and also for its cytotoxic activity on Vero cells. The extract showed CC₅₀ values of 1100 µg mL⁻¹ and 1426 µg mL⁻¹ by NRU and MTT assays, respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentration of the extract for PrV plaque formation was determined at 35 µg mL⁻¹, and selectivity indices were 31.4 (NRU) and 40.7 (MTT). When cells were pre-treated with the extract prior to virus infection, the inhibition in plaque formation was 70%. PrV was highly inhibited when it was incubated with plant extract or when the extract was added during the adsorption phase (99%). However, no inhibitory effect was observed when the extract was added to the cells after the adsorption period. Thus, these results suggest that the methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus may contain bioactive compound(s) that affect PrV mostly in the adsorption phase.

Verbascum thapsus L. is a medicinal plant and has been used to treat numerous pulmonary diseases, asthma, inflammatory disease, spasmodic coughs and migraine headaches. Several studies have demonstrated that different extracts of V. thapsus present antimicrobial activity. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic activities of a methanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus, using micronucleus test in mouse bone marrow. No toxicity in bone marrow was detected in the extract-treated groups. The methanolic extract of V. thapsus at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg, did not produce a significant increase in the frequency of MNPCE in bone marrow and neither altered the relationship PCE/NCE respect to negative control. These cytogenotoxic findings contribute the preclinical knowledge of methanolic extract of V. thapsus and provide security in its use as herbal medicine.