title: Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a natural antidepressant, Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort), on vegetal and animal test systems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Ana Paula
authors: AP
authors: Peron
authors: Rosinete Gonçalves
authors: RG
authors: Mariucci
authors: Igor Vivian
authors: IV
authors: de Almeida
authors: Elisângela
authors: E
authors: Düsman
authors: Mário Sérgio
authors: MS
authors: Mantovani
authors: Veronica Elisa Pimenta
authors: VE
authors: Vicentini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D019697:Onions / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts
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