Assessment of DNA damage induced by extracts, fractions and isolated compounds of Davilla nitida and Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae)

• Published in: Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis 2010-09, Vol.702 (1), p.92-99
• Main Authors: Biso, Fabiana Izilda, Rodrigues, Clenilson Martins, Rinaldo, Daniel, Reis, Mariana Bisarro dos, Bernardi, Caroline Cristiane, de Mattos, José Carlos Pelielo, Caldeira-de-Araújo, Adriano, Vilegas, Wagner, Cólus, Ilce Mara de Syllos, Varanda, Eliana Aparecida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AMES test; Bioassays; Biological and medical sciences; Davilla elliptica; Davilla nitida; Dilleniaceae; DNA damage; DNA strand-breaks; Flavonoids; Flowers & plants; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Medical sciences; Micronucleus test; Mutagenesis; Organic chemicals; Studies; Toxicity; Toxicology
• ISSN: 1383-5718; 1879-3592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2010.07.011

Davilla nitida and Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae) are plants that occur predominantly in the cerrado region of South America. They are used in popular medicine to treat stomach diseases, diarrhea and swelling, particularly of the lymph nodes and testicles. Chemical investigation of these two plant species led to the identification of the compounds myricetin-3- O-α- l-rhamnoside (myricitrin), quercetin-3- O-α- l-rhamnoside (quercitrin), myricetin, quercetin and gallic acid derivatives in the leaves of D. nitida and D. elliptica. Therefore, it was concluded that the two species of Davilla possess qualitatively similar chemical profiles. In the present study, the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of these plants and of their isolated compounds was tested in the Salmonella typhimurium assay (Ames test) with strains TA100, TA98, TA102 and TA97a, in the micronucleus test with peripheral blood cells of mice treated in vivo, and in plasmid DNA to analyze DNA strand-breaks. In the assessment of mutagenic potential by the Ames test, extracts from both plant species and a D. nitida ethyl-acetate fraction induced positive responses. On the other hand, none of the extracts showed genotoxic activity in the mouse cells. In the presence of metal ion, D. nitida and D. elliptica aqueous and ethyl-acetate fractions, as well as their isolated compounds, induced single- and double-strand-breaks in plasmid DNA in a cell-free system.