Genotoxicity evaluation of aqueous extracts of Allophylus edulis (camb.) radlk. (Sapindaceae)

YAJIA, MARTA E., MARTÍ DARDO A., BIDAU CLAUDIO J., AMAT, ANIBAL G., RIGLOS, ANA G. & SILVESTRONI, AURELIO

ACTA HORTICULTURAE

ISHS

Lugar: Leuven, Belgium; Año: 1999 vol. 2 p. 31 - 36

0567-7572

Allophylus edulis (Camb.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae; common name: “cocú”) is a native arboreal species common to woody formations of northeastern Argentina. Its phytochemical profile is complex: previous authors reported the presence of phenolic compounds, cyanogenetic glycosides, flavonoids, naphtoquinones, anthraquinones, alkaloids,steroids and triterpenoids. Leaves and young stems are used in popular phytotherapy in Misiones province (Argentina) in the form of infusions and concoctions, either alone or combined with “yerba mate” (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil, Aquifoliaceae), as refresher, digestant and, to a lesser extent, in the treatment of hepatitis. To evaluate the genotoxic potential of this species, the activity of the aqueous extract obtained by decoction (concentrations: 12, 6 -ethnotherapeutic dose- , 3, 1.5 and 0.75 g/L) was analyzed by means of the Allium cepa L. test for general toxicity and genotoxicity (AcT). The results of the AcT indicated dose dependant effects on root length growth (RL) of up to 68.3% of the controls (r=-0.88) and on macroscopic abnormalities (MA) (range: 30.58 – 94.82%; r=0.90) such as c-turmours and necrosis. In the same assay, the mitotic index (MI) decreased significantly with respect to controls, also in a dose dependant way (r=-0.94). A significant correlation occured between MI and RL (r= 0.93) and MI and microscopic abnormalities (r=-0.90. Mitotic abnormalities included micronuclei, pycnotic nuclei, binucleated cells, c-metaphases, sticky metaphases, arrested anaphases and anaphase/telophase bridges.