title: The mutagenic, DNA-damaging and antioxidative properties of bark and leaf extracts from Coutarea hexandra (Jacq.) K. Schum.
abstract: Coutarea hexandra is a species commonly known in Brazil as quina, and its bark is used in folk medicine. In this study, we assess the mutagenic and DNA-damaging effects of ethanol extracts from C. hexandra stem bark (SCH) and leaves (LCH) by employing the Ames test on the TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium in addition to a plasmid treatment test. Furthermore, we performed a phytochemical analysis by TLC and HPLC, a quantification of the phenolic constituents and an assessment of the antioxidative activity. SCH and LCH showed mutagenic action in the Ames test for TA98 strains after metabolic activation. LCH also showed mutagenicity for the TA100 strain after metabolic activation. The findings from the plasmid treatment test did not indicate any DNA-damaging activity for either of the extracts with the tested dosages. SCH showed greater flavonoid content and greater antioxidative potential in relation to LCH. This study suggests that caution is advisable in the use of this plant. However, in vivo studies should be conducted to confirm these data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biological, Federal University of Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Líria Granato
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Douglas Costa
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gontijo
authors.forename: Carlos J A
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Luciano Gomes
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Fietto
authors.forename: André Furtado
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: João Paulo Viana
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leite
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004249:DNA Damage; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010957:Plasmids / Q000187:drug effects*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D009153:Mutagens; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl