Toxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of Passiflora alata Curtis (Passifloraceae).
Passiflora alata is an official species of Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and its aerial parts are used as medicinal plant by local population as well as constitutes many phytomedicines commercialized in Brazil as sedative.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity and genotoxicity of an aqueous spray-dried extract (PA) of Passiflora alata (2.6% flavonoids).


METHODS
The acute and the sub-acute toxicity was evaluated in mice and rats, respectively. Behavioural, biochemical, hematological, histological and urine parameters were considered. Genotoxicity was assessed by using micronucleus test performed in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells and comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes.


RESULTS
Mice deaths were not observed up to 4800 mg/kg, p.o., single dose. Rats treated with aqueous extract at dose of 300 mg/kg, p.o., for 14 days did not present biochemical, hematological or histopathological significant alterations when compared to control group. However, these rats showed signs of irritability and did not show weight gain. In addition, mice acutely treated with extract 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., presented DNA damage determined by comet assay in peripheral blood cells 3h after treatment. The effect of lower doses (12.5, 25 and 50mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated at 3, 6 and 24h after treating. Only PA 50mg/kg (p.o.) induced significant damage at 3 and 6h. The maximum damage induction was observed at 6h. When the animals received PA 12.5, 25 or 50mg/kg/day during 3 days (i.e., 72h treatment) DNA damage (comet and micronucleus tests) increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion Passiflora alata presented genotoxic effect and deserves further toxicity evaluation in order to guarantee its safety for human use.
Laboratório de Genética, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões, Erechim, RS CEP 90700-000, Brazil.
Jane M
JM
Boeira
Raquel
R
Fenner
Andresa H
AH
Betti
Gustavo
G
Provensi
Luciana de A
Lde A
Lacerda
Patrícia R
PR
Barbosa
Félix H D
FH
González
André M R
AM
Corrêa
David
D
Driemeier
Marília P
MP
Dall'Alba
Annelise P
AP
Pedroso
Grace
G
Gosmann
Juliana
J
da Silva
Stela M K
SM
Rates
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D029598:Passiflora / Q000633:toxicity*; D031683:Passifloraceae / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology
D005419:Flavonoids; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014867:Water