Hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. leaves affect the development of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

INTRODUCTION:

Curtailing the development of the aquatic immature stages of Aedes aegypti is one of the main measures to limit their spread and the diseases transmitted by them. The use of plant extracts is a promising approach in the development of natural insecticides. Thus, this research aimed to characterize the inhibitory effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar brasiliense leaves on the emergence of adult A. aegypti and the main substances that constitute this extract.

METHODS:

C. brasiliense leaf extract was prepared by ethanol (70%) extraction. Bioassays using L3 larvae were performed at concentrations of 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm. We identified the major secondary metabolites present in this extract, and performed toxicity tests on an off-target organism, Danio rerio.

RESULTS:

We observed a significant delay in the development of A. aegypti larvae mainly at a concentration of 500 ppm, and estimated an emergence inhibition for 50% of the population of 150 ppm. Moreover, the C. brasiliense leaf extracts exhibited low toxicity in D. rerio. The main compounds found in the extract were quercetin, violaxanthin, myricetin3-O-hexoside, methyl-elagic-3-arabinose acid, and isoquercitrin.

CONCLUSIONS:

Herein, we demonstrate the inhibition of mosquito development by the hydroalcoholic extract of C. brasiliense and suggest substances that may act as active principles.

Citrinin against breast cancer: A cytogenotoxicological study

Breast cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer and a leading cause of mortality among Women worldwide. Citrinin (CIT), a polyketide extracted from the fungus Penicillium citrinum, exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic effects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antitumoral effects of CIT against 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in Swiss mice For this, CIT, DMBA and the standard cyclophosphamide (CPA) induced behavioral changes in experimental animals, and these changes were screened by using the rota rod and open field tests. Additionally, hematological, biochemical, immuno-histochemical, and histopathological analyses were carried out. Results suggest that CIT did not alter behavioral, hematological, and biochemical parameters in mice. DMBA induced invasive mammary carcinoma and showed genotoxic effects in the breasts, bone marrow, lymphocytes, and hepatic cells. It also caused mutagenic effects in the formation of micronuclei, bridges, shoots, and binucleate cells in bone marrow and liver. CIT and CPA genotoxic effects were observed after 3 weeks of therapy, where CIT exhibited a repair capacity and induced significant apoptotic damage in mouse lymphocytes. In conclusion, CIT showed antitumoral effects in Swiss mice, possibly through induction of apoptosis.

Antitumor effects of citrinin in an animal model of Sarcoma 180 via cytogenetic mechanisms

Citrinin (CIT) is a cytotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic metabolite obtained from Penicillium citrinum, that has been increasingly searched as an anticancer drug candidate. In this study, we assessed the antitumor effects of citrinin, using cytogenetic biomarkers for genotoxicity in Sarcoma 180 (S-180) ascitic fluid cells of mice. Citrinin, extracted from P. citrinum acetonitrile extract, was characterized by LC-MS. Cytotoxic assessment was done through using comet (alkaline version) and micronucleus assays. In S-180 cells, CI50 of CIT was 3.77 μg/mL, while at 12.5 and 100 μg/mL, CIT was as cytotoxic as doxorubicin (2 μg/mL). At 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μg/mL, it induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity in S-180 cells, especially at 2 μg/mL, triggering oxidative damage similar to hydrogen peroxide (10 mM). The antitumor effects were evidenced by a marked increase in S-180 cells apoptosis and necrosis due to clastogenic and/or aneugenic cytogenetic effects (micronucleus formation), as well as by induction of nucleoplasm bridges and nuclear buds, culminating in S-180 apoptosis and necrosis. CIT has potential as drug candidate for antitumor purposesbyinvolving cytogenetic mechanisms.

Antitumor effects of citrinin in an animal model of Sarcoma 180 via cytogenetic mechanisms

Citrinin (CIT) is a cytotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic metabolite obtained from Penicillium citrinum, that has been increasingly searched as an anticancer drug candidate. In this study, we assessed the antitumor effects of citrinin, using cytogenetic biomarkers for genotoxicity in Sarcoma 180 (S-180) ascitic fluid cells of mice. Citrinin, extracted from P. citrinum acetonitrile extract, was characterized by LC-MS. Cytotoxic assessment was done through using comet (alkaline version) and micronucleus assays. In S-180 cells, CI50 of CIT was 3.77 μg/mL, while at 12.5 and 100 μg/mL, CIT was as cytotoxic as doxorubicin (2 μg/mL). At 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μg/mL, it induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity in S-180 cells, especially at 2 μg/mL, triggering oxidative damage similar to hydrogen peroxide (10 mM). The antitumor effects were evidenced by a marked increase in S-180 cells apoptosis and necrosis due to clastogenic and/or aneugenic cytogenetic effects (micronucleus formation), as well as by induction of nucleoplasm bridges and nuclear buds, culminating in S-180 apoptosis and necrosis. CIT has potential as drug candidate for antitumor purposesbyinvolving cytogenetic mechanisms.

Cytogenotoxic evaluation of the acetonitrile extract, citrinin and dicitrinin-A from Penicillium citrinum

Endophytic fungi are promising sources of bioactive substances; however, their secondary metabolites are toxic to plants, animals, and humans. This study aimed toevaluate the toxic, cytotoxic, mutagenic and oxidant/antioxidant activities of acetonitrile extract (AEPc), citrinin (CIT) and dicitrinin-A (DIC-A) of Penicillium citrinum. For this, the test substances at 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2 μg/mLwere exposed for 24 and 48 h in Artemia salina, and 48 h in Allium cepa test systems. The oxidant/antioxidant test was evaluated in pre-, co- and post-treatment with the stressor hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results suggest that the AEPc, CIT and DIC-A at 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2 μg/mL showed toxicity in A. saline, with LC₅₀ (24 h) of 2.03 μg/mL, 1.71 μg/mL and 2.29 μg/mL, and LC₅₀ (48 h) of 0.51 μg/mL, 0.54 μg/mL and 0.54 μg/mL, respectively.In A. cepa, the test substances also exerted cytotoxic and mutagenic effects. The AEPc, CIT and DIC-A at lower concentrations modulated the damage induced by H₂O₂ in the proficient and mutant strains of S. cerevisiae for cytoplasmic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase. Moreover, the AEPc at 2 μg/mL and CIT at the two highest concentrations did not affect the H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in the test strains. In conclusion, AEPc, CIT and DIC-A of P. citrinum may exert their toxic, cytotoxic and mutagenic effects in the test systems possibly through oxidative stress induction pathway.

Determination by chromatography and cytotoxotoxic and oxidative effects of pyriproxyfen and pyridalyl

Pyriproxyfen (PPF) is a larvicide, used to combat the proliferation of Aedes aegypti larvae. The objective of this study was to analyze the compounds of pyriproxyfen and pyridalyl (PYL) in a commercial larvicide to analyze the cytotoxic and oxidative effects of PPF and PYL. The toxic potential of PPF and PYL were assessed based on lethal concentration (LC₅₀) in Artemia salina, cytotoxicity based on the mitotic index and the chromosomal alterations in Allium cepa and the oxidative damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The PPF and PYL compounds were identified by HPLC-PDA based on their retention times and spectral data. The wavelengths λ_max (258 nm) and (271 nm) of the UV spectrum of PYL and PPF and the retention times (R_T) (3.38 min) and (4.03 min), respectively. The toxicological potentials of PPF and PYL were significant at concentrations (1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm), with an LC₅₀ of 48 h (0.5 ppm). PPF and PYL pointed out a cytotoxic effect in A. cepa at all concentrations (0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 100 and 1000 ppm), genotoxic effect at concentrations only (0.0001; 0.1; 1; 100 and 1000 ppm), and mutagenic for concentrations (0.1, 100 and 1000 ppm). In relation S. cerevisiae, PPF e PYL prompted oxidative damage at concentrations (100 and 1000 ppm) in all strains (SODWT, Sod1, Sod2, Sod1Sod2, Cat1 and Sod1Cat1). Therefore, the PPF and PYL identificated in commercial larvicide by HPLC-PDA produced cytotoxic and oxidative effects that could cause health and ecosystem risks.

Toxic, cytogenetic and antitumor evaluations of [6]-gingerol in non-clinical in vitro studies

Gingerol - [6]-gingerol ((S)-5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-decanone; [6]-G) - is a phenolic compound with several pharmacological properties. Herein, the aim of the study was to evaluate the toxicogenic effects of [6]-G on Artemia salina nauplii, Allium cepa, HL-60 cell line and Sarcoma 180 (S-180) ascitic fluid cells.For toxic and genotoxic analysis, it was used [6]-G concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 μg mL-1. For cytotoxic evaluation using the MTT test (3- [4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl] -2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), serial [6]-G dilutions (1.56-100 μg mL-1) were performed, and S-180, HL-60 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were treated for 72 h. The IC50 of [6]-G were 1.14, 5.73 and 11.18 μg mL-1 for HL-60, S-180 and PBMC, respectively, indicating a possible selectivity against tumor cell lines. At higher concentrations (>10 μg mL^-1), toxicity and genotoxicity were observed in the A. cepa test, especially at 40 μg mL^-1. Mechanisms indicating apoptosis, such as toxicity, cytotoxicity and nuclear abnormalities (bridges, fragments, delays, loose chromosomes and micronuclei) suggest that [6]-G has potential for antitumor pharmaceutical formulations.