Brazilian savanna constitutes a valuable ecoregion that contributes to the supply of fruit known worldwide for its nutritional value and peculiar flavors. Among them, the Marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) fruit is known for its use in folk medicine. In order to establish the safety of Marolo for human consumption, this study evaluated the following: the chemical composition of Marolo pulp; its ...

Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp floccosum (Cabrera) G. Sancho is used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat inflammation and infection, which is supported by scientific data. However, only one study has been conducted on the mutagenic activity of the extract, which has important safety implications. This study evaluated the mutagenic/antimutagenic activity of M. polymorphum ethanolic extra...

Geopropolis is a resin mixed with mud, produced only by stingless bees. Despite being popularly known for its medicinal properties, few scientific studies have proven its biological activities. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of the Melipona orbignyi geopropolis....

The present study describes DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and antimutagenic properties of the essential oil of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.). Plant samples were collected from the two distant localities (southernmost and northern point) of the Montenegro coastline. Chemical profiles of the two samples were evaluated by GC-MS. In both of the samples monoterpenes ...

Piperine is a major pungent substance and active component of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) and long pepper (Piper longum Linn.). Regarding the variable biological activities of piperine, it is important to study its antimutagenic activity in somatic and germ cells in vivo. Swiss albino male mice were orally administered piperine at the doses of 5, 10 and 15mg/kg b. wt. for three consecutiv...

Due to long-term treatment toxicity and clinical resistance to drugs commonly used against E. histolytica, new drugs against amoebiasis are urgently needed. Castela texana ("chaparro amargo") is a shrub taken traditionally in teas and capsules of dry plant to treat intestinal amoebic infections. An aqueous extract was prepared and its mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxicity properties were evalua...

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native from Brazil, commonly known as 'Alecrim-do-campo' and 'Vassoura' and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Previous studies reported that artepillin C (ArtC, 3-{4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl}-2(E)-propenoic acid), is the main compound of interest in the leaves. This study was...

CONTEXT Heliopsis longipes (A. Gray) Blake (Asteraceae), commonly known in Mexico as "chilcuage" or "chilcuan", is widely used as an analgesic and anesthetic agent. Affinin, the major metabolite of this plant, and the ethanol extract of the plant have shown antinociceptive properties in mice. H. longipes plant produces a complex mixture of antioxidant chlorophylls and polyamines as well as a nu...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutagenicity (clastogenicity/aneugenicity) of a glycolic extract of Ziziphus joazeiro bark (GEZJ) by the micronucleus assay in mice bone marrow. Antimutagenic activity was also assessed using treatments associated with GEZJ and doxorubicin (DXR). Mice were evaluated 24-48 h after exposure to positive (N-nitroso-N-ethylurea, NEU - 50 mg.kg(-1) and DXR - ...

The Balkan region endemite Haberlea rhodopensis is a world record-holder in desiccation tolerance. Regarding the variable biological activities of Haberlea rhodopensis, it is important to study its antimutagenic activity in somatic cells in vivo. New Zealand white rabbits were intramuscular (i.m.) administered with total extract of HR at a dose of 100 mg/kg b. wt. for two consecutive days then ...