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A Nanotecnologia tem se destacado significativamente em diversas áreas da ciência, em especial, na área farmacêutica. Os nanocarreadores de fármacos apresentam uma alternativa segura e eficaz, apresentando propriedades importantes do ponto de vista farmacoterápico. Sob esse aspecto, destacam-se as nanoemulsões como veículo de fármacos já consagrados. Trata-se de sistemas constituídos por glóbulos bastante reduzidos, em escala manométrica, que podem veicular princípio ativo sendo ainda adequados à distribuição de substâncias ativas na pele, permitindo maior absorção. Dentro deste contexto, o presente estudo de revisão descreve metodologias de síntese de nanoemulsões utilizando para composição da fórmula, extratos e óleos vegetais, medicamentos alopáticos convencionais e nanopartículas metálicas.

Os coagulantes naturais são compostos naturais, como sementes, mucilagem e outros compostos baseados ou não baseados em plantas, que possuem a capacidade de remoção de contaminantes da água, esgotos e efluentes. Seu uso possui forte apelo ambiental, econômico e social, especialmente por se tratarem de compostos facilmente encontrados na natureza, como a moringa, quiabo e cáctus, e, por isso, baratos, aumentando a qualidade de vida da sociedade e mitigando o dano ou impacto ambiental. Esta revisão teve por objetivo apresentar os diferentes tipos de coagulantes naturais, seus respectivos usos e características. Esta pesquisa foi elaborada por meio de consultas na literatura especializada, com cerca de 160 artigos pesquisados e 38 efetivamente utilizados; concentrou-se em discutir os benefícios dos coagulantes naturais frente aos coagulantes químicos, bem como as implicações dos diferentes tipos de coagulantes naturais no tratamento de água, efluentes líquidos e esgotos. Em suma, verificou-se que as questões que envolvem a pesquisa dos coagulantes naturais é um caminho ambientalmente correto, barato e um objetivo a ser alcançado, visto a grande demanda de tratamento de água e efluentes que ocorre ao redor do mundo.

Background Healthcare workers occupationally exposed to 18F-FDG cannot wear protective equipment, such as lead aprons, since the interaction between high energy radiation (511 keV) and metal increases the dose of radiation absorption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the shielding efficacy of a plastic polymer against the toxicogenomic effects of ionizing radiation in human lymphocytes, using cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays. Methods Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from three subjects and cultured under standard conditions. The cultures were exposed to 300 mCi of 18F-FDG at a distance of 10 cm for 10 min, in the absence of shielding or with lead, polymer, and lead + polymer shields. Results Lead shielding was found to increase the number of counts detected by Geiger-Müller radiation monitors as a consequence of the photoelectron effect. Conversely, the lead + polymer shield reduced the number of counts. The lead, polymer, and lead + polymer shields significantly reduced the frequency of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds induced by ionizing radiation. Regarding cytotoxicity, only the lead + polymer shield re-established the cell cycle at the level observed for the negative control. Conclusions Lead aprons that are internally coated with polymer increased the radiological protection of individuals occupationally exposed to 18F-FDG PET/CT, especially during examinations.

The Buccal Micronucleus Cytome Assay (BMCyt) has become an important biomonitoring tool for assessing cytogenetic damage in many studied populations. Each laboratory applies protocols that vary according to the method of collecting and preparing samples. Besides, Brazil is a country of great territorial extensions that received immigrants from various parts of the world with different genetic backgrounds. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the inter-laboratory variation in scoring the same set of slides using the more comprehensive scoring criteria, to standardize the BMCyt protocol, to observe the basal alterations in populations of different Brazilian regions and to compare it with other places around the world. Our results showed that a valuable number of laboratories participated, ten laboratories from different regions of the country, for the validation of the BMCyt in human biomonitoring studies, resulting in the 804 healthy individuals. This was possible because we observed: a range of measures needs to be considered, such as the baseline frequency of DNA damage and cell death in non-exposed individuals; age when grouped showed an influence on DNA damage, although when evaluated by group we did not see an influence; association between smoking habit and all endpoints of the BMCyt (except karyolytic cells) was evident; the basal MN frequency, in the majority of groups, follows those around the world; and the BMCyt was confirmed as a good health status biomarker. We emphasize the need for constant discussions on the parameters of cell death due to greater difficulty among the analyzers.

Hospital laundries are responsible for a significant part of the amount of wastewater that is generated in hospitals. Hospital laundry wastewater represents a complex mixture of chemicals that arouse concerns about possible environmental risks. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of different laundry effluents from the Regional University Hospital of Maringa, Parana, Brazil, on Allium cepa L. meristematic root cells. The effluents were characterised as rinsing, wetting, prewashing, washing, softening, wastewater (the effluent generated at the end of the washing process), the wastewater that was treated by physicochemical (PC) processes and the wastewater that was treated by advanced oxidation processes (PC + UV, PC + H2O2 and PC + UV/H2O2). The mitotic indexes were calculated by scoring 5000 cells per group and the statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post-test (α = 0.05). Results showed that the rinsing, wetting, prewashing and wastewater laundry effluents were cytotoxic at 24 h of exposure, significantly reducing the mitotic index. Despite the slight cytotoxicity of the PC + UV/H2O2 treatment, physicochemical and advanced oxidation processes efficiently reduced the critical parameters of wastewater, such as the biochemical and chemical oxygen demands, to tolerable levels of effluent discharge. It is essential to perform constant monitoring of these effluents in order to reduce the possible occurrence of environmental impacts.

Large amounts of by-products are generated during fish processing. The study aimed to assess whether tilapia scales are a potential source for obtaining glycosaminoglycans, as well as to determine their anticoagulant and cytotoxic/antiproliferative activities, against different tumor lines. The glycosaminoglycans were extracted, purified, and fractionated. The fractions that indicated the presence of uronic acid and sulfated GAGs were characterized by electrophoresis, NMR, and degree of sulfation (DS). The extraction process using the papain enzyme had a yield of 0.86%. Fraction V (FV) revealed the presence of chondroitin sulfate chains CS-A and CS-C, with DS of 0.146. FV demonstrated anticoagulant potential, as it was able to increase aPTT time. FV showed a cytotoxic effect for HTC metabolizing cells at 24, 48, and 72 h. However, it did not show activity for neuroblastoma cells in any of the evaluated times. The results indicate that the tilapia scales are a possible source for obtaining chondroitin sulfate, with potential use as anticoagulant and cytotoxic/antitumor.

A vitivinicultura é uma atividade economicamente importante no mundo globalizado, gerando emprego, renda e investimentos. As uvas são consideradas como uma das maiores fontes de compostos fenólicos, contendo ainda compostos flavonoides e não-flavonoides na sua composição, a se destacar o resveratrol. O consumo das uvas pode ser in natura, ou na forma de derivados como vinhos, sucos, geleias, dentre outros. Entretanto, o processamento das uvas gera vários resíduos, como o engaço, a borra e em maior quantidade o bagaço, que é formado principalmente de cascas e sementes. Da mesma forma que existem compostos benéficos na polpa da fruta, muitos antioxidantes e outros compostos ainda permanecem nestes resíduos. Assim, dentre as inúmeras propriedades medicinais das uvas e dos extratos produzidos desta ou de seus resíduos, pode-se citar: auxiliar no tratamento de hemorragias, dor de garganta, diarreia, cólera, varíola, náuseas, infecções nos olhos e pele, doenças cardiovasculares, hipertensão, auxílio do tratamento da doença de Alzheimer e Parkinson, dentre outras. Além disso, apresentam atividade citotóxica contra células cancerígenas, efeito quimiopreventivo, proteção contra os radicais livres, a peroxidação lipídica e a danos no ácido desoxirribonucleico, além de atividade antimutagênica....

Nas ultimas decadas, a qualidade da agua do Rio do Peixe, localizado no interior do Estado de Sao Paulo, esta diminuindo, principalmente porque o rio vem sofrendo com o desmatamento feito as suas margens, o que provocou o assoreamento e permitiu o despejo de todos os tipos de residuos, em especial das industrias que ficam ao seu redor. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial citotoxico das aguas do Rio do Peixe, coletadas em quatro propriedades rurais localizadas em Garca–SP (nascente), Tupa-SP, Florida Paulista-SP e Ouro Verde-SP (jusante), usando como sistema teste vegetal as celulas meristematicas de raiz de Allium cepa L. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que todas as amostras das aguas coletadas nao apresentaram efeito citotoxico apos 24 horas de tratamento. Entretanto, as amostras obtidas em Tupa, Florida Paulista e Ouro Verde (jusante) foram mutagenicas, pois causaram o aparecimento de alteracoes nas celulas, principalmente, dos tipos metafases-colchicinicas, anafases desorganizadas, multipolares e com ponte cromatidica, alem de celulas micronucleadas. Portanto, os resultados obtidos alertam para o perigo eminente que os efluentes lancados indiscriminadamente no ambiente, de rios e lagos, podem representar nao so aos organismos que ali habitam, mas a todos os outros que dele dependem, seja para lazer, limpeza, higiene ou alimentacao.

Background: Breast cancer is associated with a high mortality rate around the world due to its aggressiveness and highly resistance to conventional therapies. Sanguinarine (SAN) and Chelerythrine (CHE) are plant alkaloids extracted from Sanguinaria canadensis and Macleaya cordata, which have been studied for their bioactivities. Objective: To determine the anticancer activities of Sanguinarine (SAN) and Chelerythrine (CHE) plant alkaloids. Method: It was performed the MTT assay, the alkaline comet assay and cell cycle analyses by flow cytometry. Results: It was observed that SAN was cytotoxic to human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) at concentrations of 7.5 µM (24 and 48 hours), effectively reducing cell viability from the concentration of 10 µM for 24 hours and 7.5 µM for 48 hours, by the MTT test. CHE, in turn, was cytotoxic at concentrations of 10 and 20 µM (48 hours), but did not compromise the cellular viability. The comet assay indicated that SAN was genotoxic to the MCF-7 cells, with a significant increment of damage at 10 µM, while none of the tested concentrations of CHE showed a genotoxic effect. The flow cytometry analysis indicated that no cell cycle arrest was caused by both alkaloids, but SAN 10 µM induced a sub-G1 cell population. Conclusion: The results of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and cell cycle monitoring that are presented in this paper have suggested that SAN has more of a chemotherapeutic activity, as well as having the potential for the development of new therapies for breast cancer, when compared to CHE.

Industrial laundries have water as one of their main inputs and they release effluents in large amounts, with a high polluting load, which are usually discarded into the environment, or they are insufficiently treated for release into the neighboring water bodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiencies of the biological treatments in an industrial textile laundry and their environmental impact on the surface waters of the stream where the dump is usually made, by using cytotoxicity tests on the meristematic root cells of Allium cepa L. The results have shown, for the most part, that the treated effluents over a period of 24 h showed reductions in their mitotic index. The treatments on the raw effluents showed cytotoxic effects when compared to control, with cell division recoveries after 24 h in the waters. Cytotoxic effects were additionally observed in the stream waters, at a point before the dump, indicating that they received a pollutant load, before the effluent disposal site of the evaluated industrial laundry. Notably, the treatments that were being applied by the industrial laundry were effective throughout the processing, reducing the concentrations of the toxic substances. When considering the data presented, it is now understood that there is a constant need for the evaluation of industrial effluents, as well as for the waters of the streams and the rivers that receive these disposals, in order to preserve and maintain the quality of the waters, the organisms, and consequently, the ecosystems.

The use of medicinal plants dates back to the beginning of humanity, and today their application as complementary therapy has been widely disseminated as an alternative to conventional therapy. The medicinal plant named Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (known as cat's claw) is a common woody vine of the Amazon forest that has traditionally been used in the treatment of arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, mutagenic, and antimutagenic potentials of this medicinal plant. The biological activities of U. tomentosa were determined on bone marrow cells of Wistar rats that were treated in vivo. For the cytotoxic and mutagenic analyses, aqueous plant extract solutions were administered by gavage (1, 2, or 3 mg/mL) for 24 h (an acute treatment) or 7 days (a subchronic treatment). For the antimutagenic analyses, aqueous plant extract solutions (1 mg/mL) were administered by gavage before (pretreatment), simultaneous to (simultaneous treatment), or after (post-treatment), the administration of cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/mL). U. tomentosa did not show any cytotoxic or mutagenic effects in any of the cytological or chromosomal analyses. Besides, the antimutagenic tests showed that the plant extracts displayed antimutagenic activities, which significantly reduced the percentages of the chromosomal aberrations that were induced by cyclophosphamide at 53.91, 58.60, and 57.03%, respectively, for the simultaneous treatment, pretreatment, and post-treatment. The results suggested a safe use of this herbal medicine that is available free of charge from the Brazilian Public Health System for the treatment of arthritis. This medicinal plant can also effectively contribute to improving the quality of life and the recovery of people undergoing chemotherapeutical treatments.

Vitexin is a C-glycosylated flavone found in various medicinal plants with several proven biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. Considering that the human population consumes many foods that contain this flavonoid, the objective of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and the antigenotoxic potentials of vitexin by the SMART (Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test) in Drosophila melanogaster wings, in vivo. To evaluate the genotoxic activity, larvae obtained from standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses were chronically treated with different concentrations of vitexin (0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 mM). For the evaluation of antigenotoxic activity, the same vitexin concentrations were associated with two damage inducing agents: doxorubicin (0.2 mM) and benzo[a]pyrene (1.0 mM). The results obtained for genotoxic activity showed that vitexin did not induce a statistically significant increment in the frequency of mutant spots, when compared to control. The results for the evaluation of antigenotoxicity indicated that the flavonoid statistically reduced the frequency of mutant spots, when compared to those treated with only the damage inducing agents. Thus, this article presents results that have demonstrated the antigenotoxic activity of vitexin, which could be applied in new studies for the development of drugs with chemoprotective effects.

Gentisic acid (GA) exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic activities. This substance can be found in citrus fruits, grapes, olive oil, and peas. Considering that there are few studies in the literature on the toxicity of GA, the present work aimed to investigate its cytotoxic, mutagenic, and antimutagenic activities on HTC cells. GA was diluted in culture medium at the final concentration of 0.08, 0.16, 0.8, 1.6, and 8 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT assay and Trypan Blue exclusion method, with methyl methanesulfonate and doxorubicin as positive controls, respectively. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay determined the mutagenic/antimutagenic activity with benzo[a]pyrene as positive control. Negative control received culture medium only. GA (0.08-8 μg/mL) was not cytotoxic to HTC cells by the MTT assay nor the Trypan Blue exclusion method as no statistical difference was observed when compared to the control. Concentration of 0.08 and 0.8 μg/mL showed no mutagenic or clastogenic effects, as no significant micronuclei inductions were observed, different from 8 μg/mL, that was mutagenic. Furthermore, none of the concentrations presented an antiproliferative activity. The antimutagenic activity of GA (0.08 μg/mL) was observed at the simultaneous treatment, as it reduced the frequency of micronuclei by 76% (24 h) and 79% (48 h). Although pre- and post-treatments were not statistically different from the mutagen, they reduced the induced-damage by 11% and 21%, respectively. The present study indicated the absence of cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities of GA, in addition to their antimutagenic/protective effects that may contribute to human health.

20 p.-2 fig.-3 tab., This study reports the characterization and antiproliferative activity of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by submerged cultures of the endophytes Diaporthe sp. JF766998 and Diaporthe sp. JF767007 isolated from the medicinal plant Piper hispidum Sw. Both strains secreted a crude EPS that, upon size exclusion chromatography, showed to contain a heteropolysaccharide (galactose, glucose and mannose) and a high-molecular weight glucan. Data from methylation analysis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy (1H, COSY, TOCSY and HSQC-DEPT) indicated that the purified glucan consisted of a main chain of glucopyranosyl β-(1 → 3) linkages substituted at O-6 by glucosyl residues. According to MTT assay, some treatments of both β-glucans have antiproliferative activity against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2-C3A) cells after 24 and 48 h of treatment, exhibiting a degree of inhibition ratio that reached the highest values at 400 μg/mL: 58.0% (24 h) and 74.6% (48 h) for MCF-7 cells, and 61.0% (24 h) and 83.3% (48 h) for HepG2-C3A cells. These results represent the first reports on the characterization and antiproliferative effect of β-glucans from Diaporthe species and also expand the knowledge about bioactive polysaccharides from endophytic sources., The authors are grateful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; 311534/2014-7 and 447265/2014-8), Fundação Araucária (276/2014) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP; 05/53879-3) for financial support.

Complementary and alternative therapies, including the use of medicinal plants, have become almost standard among the world's population. Pfaffia glomerata (PG), popularly known as Brazilian ginseng, is widely used as a restorer of vital functions, increasing mental balance, and is used for the treatment of diabetes and rheumatism. Ginkgo biloba (GB) is one of the oldest known gymnosperms, whose leaves are widely used for its potentiating action on the nervous system. The biological activities of these plants were determined on bone marrow cells of Wistar rats treated in vivo. For cytotoxic and mutagenic acute analysis, plant extracts were administered by gavage at concentrations of 0.15, 1.5, and 15 mg PG/mL water and 1, 2, and 3 mg GB/mL water. For antimutagenic analysis, plant extracts aqueous solution (PG, 1.5 mg/mL or GB, 2 mg/mL) were administered by gavage before (pretreatment), simultaneous to (simultaneous treatment), or after (post-treatment) the administration of cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/mL, intraperitoneally). Both plant extracts have no cytotoxic or mutagenic potential, and they significantly reduce the percentage of chromosomal aberrations induced by the cyclophosphamide given simultaneously (PG, 87%; GB, 75%), pretreatment (PG, 98%, GB, 78%) and post-treatment (PG, 99%, GB, 75%). This beneficial antimutagenic property of the medicinal plants P. glomerata and G. biloba presented here, with no cytotoxic or mutagenic activity, can efficiently contribute to improvements in quality of life and recovery for people undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment, or those looking for health and preventive habits.

Integral grape juice is extracted from the grape through processes that allow the retention of their natural composition. However, due to the severity of some processes, fruit juices can undergo changes in their quality. The present study evaluated the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of integral grape juice by a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay in Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells (HTC) in vitro. Vitis labrusca L. (variety Concord) were produced organically and by a conventional system, and their juice was extracted by a hot extraction process. The organic grapes were subjected to ultraviolet-type C radiation (UV-C). Experiments were performed after production and after 6 months in storage. Physicochemical analyses revealed that UV-C irradiation of organic grapes, the juice production process, and storage resulted in nutraceutical alterations. However, none of the juice concentrations were cytotoxic to HTC cells by the cytokinesis-blocked proliferation index results or were mutagenic, because the formation of micronucleated cells was not induced. In general, juice induced cell proliferation, possibly due to the presence of vitamins and sugar content (total soluble solid). The data increased the understanding of food technology and confirmed the quality and safety consumption of these juices.

The consumption of healthy and natural foods has increased over the last few years, primarily because these foods are rich in substances with biological properties of interest, such as exerting anticancer effects and decreasing oxidative stress in living tissues. These foods support adequate nutrition, maintain health, and improve quality of life. Vanillic acid (VA) is a phenolic compound used widely in the food industry as a flavoring, preservative, and food additive. VA can be found in various cereals, whole grains, fruits, herbs, green tea, juices, beers, and wines and possesses antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antiapoptotic activities. Studying the cytotoxicity as well as the mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of different concentrations of VA in Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells (HTC) can identify new cellular activities of this substance. Concentrations up to 100 µM VA are not cytotoxic to HTC cells in a MTT [3-(4,5-dimethilthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide] assay after 96-h exposure; therefore, VA does not compromise mitochondrial activity. Similarly, concentrations up to 500 µM do not compromise plasma membrane integrity. VA at 10 and 50 µM showed no mutagenic/clastogenic effects, as no significant micronuclei induction was observed. VA 10 µM presented no antiproliferative activity and reduced the cytotoxicity induced by benzo[a]pyrene. The antimutagenic activity of 10 µM VA was observed by the simultaneous, pre-, and post-treatments, as the phenolic compound significantly reduced the frequency of micronuclei induced by the mutagen. These results indicate that VA exerts different responses in HTC cells. Low concentrations present no cytotoxic, mutagenic, or antiproliferative effects and protect cells from DNA damage.

Zingiber officinale, popularly known as ginger, it is in National Relations of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS (RENISUS) aiming at the appropriate and safe use of medicinal plants. Then, it is necessary to characterize and determine their bioactive compounds, their cytotoxic, mutagenic and/or antitumor properties, in order to guarantee food safety and its beneficial coadjuvant effects. The ginger rhizomes were dried at temperatures 40, 60, and 80°C and the bioactive compounds were extracted with methanol and ethanol (70:30 and 95:5). The rhizomes showed to be intermediate source of vitamin C. The highest levels of anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids were dried at 40°C. The highest content of phenolic compounds was for the extracts MeOH 70:30 and EtOH 70:30 at 80°C and for flavonoids MeOH 95:5 at 40°C. Data showed a positive correlation with the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity. The EtOH 70:30 extract at 80°C, did not present a cytotoxic effect, by calculating the mitotic index, or mutagen, by the evaluation of the chromosomal alterations, for the Allium cepa L. This extract showed a cytotoxic effect for human kidney tumor cells, by MTT test, for all concentrations tested and in the two evaluation times. The data serve as basis for the consumption of ginger, with a high content of bioactive compounds, with no harmful effect for the normal cells studied and with antitumor potential.

The radioisotope iodine-131 [(131)I] can damage DNA. One way to prevent this is to increase the amount of antioxidants via dietary consumption. The goal of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of fresh acerola pulp and synthetic beta-carotene in Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells (HTC) in response to [(131)I] exposure in vitro. Cellular DNA damage was subsequently assessed using a cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. The mutagenic and cytotoxic activities of doses of [(131)I] (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 µCi), acerola (0.025, 0.125, and 0.25 g acerola pulp/mL), and beta-carotene (0.2, 1, and 2 µM) were evaluated. Radioprotective tests were performed by simultaneous treatment with acerola (0.25 g/mL) plus [(131)I] (10 µCi) and beta-carotene (0.2 µM) plus [(131)I] (10 µCi). Acerola, beta-carotene, and low concentrations of [(131)I] did not induce micronucleus formation in HTC cells; in contrast, high concentrations of [(131)I] (10 µCi) were mutagenic and induced DNA damage. Moreover, neither acerola nor beta-carotene treatment was cytotoxic. However, acerola reduced the percentage of [(131)I]-induced damage, although beta-carotene did not show a similar effect. Thus, our results suggest that acerola diet supplementation may benefit patients who are exposed to [(131)I] during thyroid diagnostics and therapy.

Barbados cherry (BC) (Malpighia glabra Linnaeus) is a functional fruit that is consumed to prevent disease. It is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of several diseases, and acts as an antianemic, an appetite stimulant, a wound healer, an anti-inflammatory, a mineralizer, an antifungal, and an antioxidant agent. Several chemotherapeutic agents, such as cyclophosphamide, may result in undesirable side effects, and generate mutations in normal cells. Thus, the present study evaluated the antimutagenic potential of the fresh (BCN) and frozen (BCF) juices of BC pulp, with and without concomitant administration of cyclophosphamide, using a chromosomal aberration test system in the bone marrow cells of Wistar rats treated in vivo for 24 h. The results showed that neither the BC juice (0.4 mg/mL) alone, nor that with concomitant cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/mL), were cytotoxic. BC has potential as an antimutagenic, and statistically reduced the percentages of chromosomal alterations induced by cyclophosphamide when administered simultaneously (BCN: 80.75%; BCF: 88.26%), pre-treatment (BCN: 86.85%; BCF: 87.32%), or post-treatment (BCN: 90.14%; BCF: 86.85%). This was due to the antioxidant activity of the fruit and the action of its bioactive compounds, which may have inhibited cyclophosphamide metabolism or scavenged the free radicals generated by this compound. Thus, attenuation of cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity suggests that the consumption of fresh or frozen BC should be encouraged for the prevention of disease, and for the maintenance and promotion of health.

Flunitrazepam (FNZ) is a sedative benzodiazepine prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia. However, there are concerns regarding possible carcinogenic or genotoxic effects of this medicine. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, clastogenic and aneugenic effects of FNZ in hepatoma cells from Rattus norvegicus (HTC) in vitro and in bone marrow cells of Wistar rats in vivo. These effects were examined in vitro following treatment with 0.2, 1.0, 5.0 or 10 μg/mL FNZ using a micronucleus test with a cytokinesis block or in vivo using a chromosomal aberration test following treatment with 7, 15 or 30 μg/mL/kg body weight. The results showed that the benzodiazepine concentrations tested were not cytotoxic, aneugenic or clastogenic. However, considering the adverse effects of using this benzodiazepine, more studies are required. Flunitrazepam (FNZ) é um sedativo benzodiazepínico prescrito para o tratamento da insônia em curto prazo. Entretanto, existe a preocupação com relação aos possíveis efeitos carcinogênicos ou genotóxicos causados por este fármaco. Então, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos citotóxicos, clastogênicos e aneugênicos do FNZ em células de hepatoma de Rattus norvegicus (HTC) in vitro e em células de medula óssea de ratos Wistar in vivo. Foram testadas as concentrações de 0,2, 1,0 e 10 μg/mL de FNZ pelo teste do micronúcleo com bloqueio de citocinese in vitro e 7, 15 e 30 μg/mL/kg de peso corpóreo para o teste de aberração cromossômica in vivo. Os resultados mostraram que as concentrações do benzodiazepínico testadas não foram citotóxicas, aneugênicas ou clastogênicas. Entretanto, considerando os efeitos adversos do uso deste benzodiazepínico, mais estudos são necessários.

Fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, is the first representative of the so-called new generation of antidepressants that promise efficacy, with few side effects, against deep depression, nervous bulimia, and anxiety. As there is a growing number of people suffering from anxiety and depression; consequently, the use of fluoxetine is also increasing. Verifying absence of drug effects such as cytotoxicity or mutagenicity is of great importance. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin A (retinol, retinoids) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) protect and are extremely active against mutagens. We evaluated the cytotoxic and mutagenic activity of fluoxetine, with and without concomitant administration of vitamin A or C, in Allium cepa meristem cells and Wistar rat bone marrow cells. The A. cepa meristem cells showed fluoxetine cytotoxicity; concomitant treatment with vitamin A or C proved non-protective. Treatment of Wistar rats with fluoxetine intraperitoneally or via gavage did not affect cell division or cause clastogenic effects. Vitamin A and C did not affect the cytotoxicity or mutagenicity of fluoxetine in the rat cells.

Background St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum. Methods Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%). Conclusions Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.