In vivo and in vitro toxicological evaluations of aqueous extract from Cecropia pachystachya leaves

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2020 Oct 17;83(19-20):659-671. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1811817. Epub 2020 Aug 30.

Abstract

leaves are popularly used to treat asthma and diabetes. Despite the widespread consumption of this plant, there are few scientific studies regarding its toxicological potential. In order to conduct a thorough study concerning the potential adverse effects, the aim of this study was to assess acute and subacute toxicity tests of crude aqueous extract from C. pachystachya leaves (CAE-Cp) using in vivomodel, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antioxidant activity. In addition, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and cytotoxicity of isoorientin (ISOO) were also evaluated. The antioxidant activity was verified by DPPH, cytotoxicity using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and genotoxicity by comet assay on V79 cells. The phytochemical analysis of CAE-Cp detected flavonoids and tannins, CGA and ISOO as the major compounds utilizing HPLC. The total flavonoid content (6.52 mg/g EQ) and antioxidant activity (EC50 = 62.15 µg/ml) of CAE-Cp were determined. In vitro evaluations with CAE-Cp showed genotoxic effects at 0.31 to 2.5 mg/ml and an expressive cytotoxicity on HT-29 (IC50 = 4.43 µg/ml) cells. CGA was genotoxic against V79 cells at 0.07 mg/ml and cytotoxic against to HT-29 (IC50 = 71.70 µg/ml), OVCAR-3 (IC50 = 80.07 µg/ml), MCF-7 (IC50 = 45.58 µg/ml) and, NCI-H460 (IC50 = 71.89 µg/ml) cancer cell lines. Wistar rats treated with a single dose (2,000 mg/kg) CAE-Cp decreased hemoglobin levels after 14 days, although no significant toxicity was observed in animals after 28 days. In view of the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity detected, further studies are necessary to establish the safe use of CAE-Cp.

Keywords: V79 cells; chlorogenic acid; cytotoxicity; genotoxicity; toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / toxicity*
  • Cecropia Plant / chemistry*
  • Chlorogenic Acid / toxicity*
  • Cytotoxins / toxicity*
  • Luteolin / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Mutagens / toxicity*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Toxicity Tests, Acute
  • Toxicity Tests, Subacute

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cytotoxins
  • Mutagens
  • Plant Extracts
  • Chlorogenic Acid
  • homoorientin
  • Luteolin