Antimutagenic action of the triterpene betulinic acid isolated from Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae).
The mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of triterpene betulinic acid {3b-3-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic} isolated from the roots of Scoparia dulcis (Scrophulariaceae) were analyzed using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in the wings of Drosophila melanogaster. The mutagenic potential of betulinic acid was evaluated at 3 different concentrations (1.64, 3.28, and 6.57 mM). Antimutagenic activity evaluation was performed by co-treatment trials in which the flies received betulinic acid at 3 different concentrations in addition to 10 mM pro-mutagenic urethane. The results demonstrated that betulinic acid was not capable of causing DNA damage. However, the frequency of small single spots, large spots, and twin spots was significantly reduced. In the high bioactivation cross, betulinic acid was significantly active and exerted enhanced antimutagenic activity, possibly as a desmutagen.
Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
P L
PL
de Freitas
Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
A C S
AC
Dias
Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
V R
VR
Moreira
Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
S G
SG
Monteiro
Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil silmaregina@yahoo.com.br.
S R F
SR
Pereira
D000818:Animals; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests / Q000379:methods; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D036721:Scoparia / Q000737:chemistry*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D000094062:Betulinic Acid