title: Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Baccharis dracunculifolia extract on V79 cells by the comet assay.
abstract: Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), the main botanical source of green propolis, is a shrub of the Brazilian 'cerrado'. In folk medicine it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, mainly for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of B. dracunculifolia ethyl acetate extract (Bd-EAE) on Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) by the comet assay. Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 200 microM) was used as an inducer of DNA damage. Genotoxicity was evaluated using four different concentrations of Bd-EAE: 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0 microg ml(-1). Antigenotoxicity was assessed before, simultaneously, and after treatment with the mutagen. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage in cultures treated with 50.0 and 100.0 microg ml(-1) Bd-EAE. Regarding its antigenotoxic potential, Bd-EAE reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by MMS. However, this chemopreventive activity depended on the concentrations and treatment regimens used. The antioxidant activity of phenolic components present in Bd-EAE may contribute to reduce the alkylation damage induced by MMS. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the chemopreventive activity of Bd-EAE and showed that this effect occurs under different mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira 201, 14404-600 Franca, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Carolina
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Munari
authors.forename: Jacqueline Morais
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Jairo Kenupp
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Denise Crispim
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Tavares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D031175:Baccharis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D020552:Comet Assay; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate