Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of ethanolic extracts of stem bark and leaves of Bathysa cuspidata (A.St.-Hil.) Hook

Douglas Costa Gontijo; Líria Granato Nunes; Carlos Joulbert Alves Souza; Luciano Gomes Fietto; João Paulo Viana Leite

Douglas Costa Gontijo
Líria Granato Nunes
Carlos Joulbert Alves Souza
Luciano Gomes Fietto
João Paulo Viana Leite

Keywords: Bathysa cuspidata. Genotoxicity. Mutagenesis. Ames test

Abstract

Bathysa cuspidata (A.St.-Hil.) Hook. is a native tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome, widely used in Brazilian herbal medicine. Despite its widespread use, there is no report as yet regarding the toxicology of this plant. In this study, the mutagenic and genotoxic effects of ethanolic extracts of B. cuspidata stem bark (SBC) and leaves (LBC) were assessed. The mutagenicity of the extracts was estimated by performing the Ames test on strains TA98 and TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium, in the absence and presence of metabolic activation. The direct action of the extracts on DNA was assessed through plasmid treatment. Phytochemical screening was conducted to compare the secondary metabolite composition of the extracts. No mutagenic activity was found in LBC when tested on strain TA98 or TA100, without or with metabolic activation. However, SBC did show mutagenic activity. Plasmid tests did not indicate genotoxic action for either SBC or LBC. Differences in the composition of secondary metabolites present in the bark and leaves, detected by phytochemical analysis, appear to be a deciding factor in differences in mutagenicity between SBC and LBC. The findings in this study suggest caution in the use of B. cuspidata bark.