In-vivo laxative and toxicological evaluation and in-vitro antitumour effects of Mitracarpus frigidus aerial parts.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the in-vitro antitumour properties, and the in-vivo laxative and toxicological effects of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Mitracarpus frigidus (MFM).


METHODS
The in-vitro antitumour activity of MFM was evaluated against three human tumour cell lines: Jurkat, HL60 and MCF-7. The laxative activity and the effect of MFM on intestinal motility were evaluated in rats at the doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg. Acute oral toxicity was performed at 10, 100, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg and subchronic toxicity was evaluated at 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg of MFM during a 42-day period. After subchronic administration of MFM the biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters were analysed. Also, the total content of anthraquinones was determined.


RESULTS
MFM was cytotoxic only against HL60 and Jurkat cells with 89 and 83% growth inhibition, respectively. The laxative activity of MFM was similar to bisacodyl. Regarding the effect on intestinal motility, MFM showed a significant increase in the pathway of charcoal compared with the group treated with saline. Furthermore, MFM showed no in-vivo toxicity at the doses tested. Free and anthraquinone C- and O-glycosides were detected in MFM.


CONCLUSIONS
MFM showed significant antitumour activity for leukaemic cells. Moreover, it presented laxative potential and no in-vivo toxicity.
Bioactive Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Rodrigo Luiz
RL
Fabri
Danielle Maria
DM
de Oliveira Aragão
Jônatas Rodrigues
JR
Florêncio
Gabriele Mendes Matos
GM
Cardoso
Elaine Maria
EM
de Souza-Fagundes
Maria Christina Marques Nogueira
MC
Castanon
Elita
E
Scio
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
D000880:Anthraquinones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D006027:Glycosides; D054368:Laxatives; D010936:Plant Extracts