Assessment of acute toxicity, genotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activity of SteLL, a lectin from Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi. Leaves, in mice.

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), known as Brazilian pepper tree, stands out as a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine. The leaves are popularly used as anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, ulcers, and wounds, for example.
Aim of the Study: The present study evaluated the acute toxicity, genotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activity of S. terebinthifolia leaf lectin (SteLL) in mice (Mus musculus).
Materials and Methods: In the acute toxicity assay, the animals were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally (per os) with a single dose of 100 mg/kg. Genotoxicity was assessed by the comet and micronucleus assays. Carrageenan-induced peritonitis and paw edema models were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SteLL (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.).
Results: No animal died and no signs of intoxication or histopathological damage were observed in the acute toxicity assay. Genotoxic effect was not detected. In peritonitis assay, SteLL reduced in 56-69% leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity; neutrophil count decreased by 25-32%, while mononuclear cell count increased by 67-74%. SteLL promoted a notable reduction of paw edema after 4 h (61.1-63.4%). Morphometric analysis showed that SteLL also decreased the thickness of epidermal edema (30.2-40.7%). Furthermore, SteLL decreased MPO activity, plasma leakage, NO release, and modulated cytokines in both peritoneal fluid and paw homogenate.
Conclusion: SteLL did not induce acute toxicity or genotoxicity in mice and stands out as a promising candidate in the development of new phytopharmaceuticals with anti-inflammatory action.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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