title: Artichoke induces genetic toxicity in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay.
abstract: Artichoke leaves are used in traditional medicine as an herbal medicament for the treatment of hepatic related diseases, as well as choleretic and diuretic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of Cynara scolymus L. leaves extract (LE) to cause chromosomal instability and cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) employing the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay. Cells were treated with four concentrations of C. scolymus for two exposure times: 1h and 24h. Our findings showed that LE did not increase the frequencies of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear bud (NBUD). However, all concentrations of the extract produced increments in micronuclei frequencies (MNi) in both exposure times, when compared to the negative control. No significant differences were observed in the nuclear division cytotoxicity index (NDCI), reflecting the absence of cytotoxic effects associated to LE. The results demonstrated the ability of C. scolymus LE to promote chromosomal mutations which are, probably, a result of the pro-oxidant activity of LE constituents such as flavonoids and chlorogenic acids. The data obtained in this study suggests that high concentrations of artichoke can pose a risk associated to its consumption.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Toxicologia Aplicada (PPGGTA), Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laura Vicedo
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Jacociunas
authors.forename: Heloisa Helena Rodrigues
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Bianca Regina Ribas
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: de Abreu
authors.forename: Alexandre de Barros Falcão
authors.initials: Ade B
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grivicich
authors.forename: Rafael Rodrigues
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dihl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D031943:Cynara scolymus; D048749:Cytokinesis; D015162:Micronucleus Tests