The cold aqueous extract of Baccharis articulata stimulates apoptosis process in human lymphocytes.

CARIDDI LN; ESCOBAR F; SABINI C; ZAMORA F; TORRES C; REINOSO E; SABINI LI

Puerto Madryn, Chubut

Congreso; XLVI Reunion Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigacio en Biologia (SAIB); 2010

The cytotoxic action of Baccharis articulata (Asteraceae) has not been studied. The aim was to determine the toxic effects of cold aqueous extract of B. articulata (Ba-CAE) on human lymphocytes. Lymphocytes separated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by density gradient were exposed to Ba-CAE (10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 and 1280 ¦Ìg/mL) for 18-24 h. Cell viability was determined by staining of trypan blue exclusion and MTT reduction. Apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33258 staining, TUNEL and DNA fragmentation analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis. A dose-dependent toxicity of Ba-CAE was demonstrated by staining of trypan blue exclusion (CC50=150 ¦Ìg/mL). By MTT assay could not quantify this effect, since Ba-CAE was able to reduce tetrazolium salt in absence of cells. Hoechst staining, showed apoptotic figures (fragmented nuclei, kidney shaped nuclei and small nuclear blebs) in cells treated with Ba-CAE (80 to 1280 ¦Ìg/mL). The percentage of TUNEL-positive per 400 cells was: cell with media alone: 7+1%, cells treated with Ba-CAE: 10¦Ìg/mL (8+1%), 20¦Ìg/mL (9+3%), 40¦Ìg/mL (43+11%)*, 80¦Ìg/mL (58+18%)*, 160¦Ìg/mL (62+13%)* 320¦Ìg/mL (68+20%)**, 640¦Ìg/mL (73+10%)**, 1280¦Ìg/mL (88+13%)**; *p