Study on the cytotoxic and genotoxic capacity of decoctions of Minthostachys verticillata from Córdoba, Argentina

CASASNOVA F.; ESCOBAR F.; CORDERO GABRIELLI P.; CACCIABUE M.; SABINI L.I.

Molecular Medicinal Chemistry

INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE LAS CIENCIAS EXACTAS FÍSICAS Y NATURALES

Año: 2006 vol. 11 p. 60 - 62

1666-888X

Minthostachys verticillata (Grises) Epling. (peperina) is an example of a commonly used plant in the popular medicine of Córdoba, Argentina. Fractions of peperina extracts have been proved in a number of in vitro assays, and their immunomodulador, antimicrobial and antiviral action has been demostrated (Zanon et al., 1999; Escobar et al., 2004). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of decoctions of this plant species on chriomosomes an cell cycle by the Allium cepa L. test. The fractions of M. verticillata decoction induced macroscopic root modifications. Shortening of the root length without tissue necrosis was demostrated. Neither induced the development of radicular hooks, valid indicator of toxicity, since the appearence frequency of this anomaly (1.21%) was very below with regard to normal mean. Root length and MI decrease in treatments revealed the toxic character of M. verticillata decoctions, althougth the non genotoxic character of these fractions was demostrated by the low frequency of cromosomal damage compared with control