Laurus nobilis L.: assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts by micronucleus and Allium cepa assays

Authors

  • Mayara Christine Silva Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Aline Ferreira Matos Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Hataânderson Luíz Cabral dos Santos Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Jennifer Vieira Gomes Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Danilo Giovanni Narciso Pastura Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Gabriela Lopes Pereira Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Ellen Borges da Rocha Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Mayara de Jesus Costa Larangeira Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Raphael Santiago Alves Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Leonardo de Oliveira Bastos Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Helcio Resende Borba Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology
  • Viviane Moreira de Lima Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Laboratory of Genotoxic Activity of Plants, Department of Animal Biology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7930-8312

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902019000318302

Keywords:

Laurus nobilis, Allium cepa, Micronucleus, Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Laurus nobilis L. is a large shrub belonging to the Lauracea family. Its leaves are widely used for food seasoning as well as in folk medicine. Various studies have demonstrated the antiproliferative, antifungal and antibacterial effects of Laurus nobilis, but no studies have investigated the genotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of the plant. The objective of this study was to analyze the genotoxic potential of an aqueous extract of leaves, using the Allium cepa assay and mouse peripheral blood cell micronucleus test. The results showed that the extract did not have any genotoxic activity, but cytotoxic activity was observed in the two experimental models used. The extract had an antiproliferative effect, detected through the reduction of the mitotic index and the polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocyte (PCE/NCE) ratio. The tests also demonstrated a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and with nuclear abnormalities related to cell death processes. These results can be explained by the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids, detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. Therefore, the extract from L. nobilis in the form generally used by the population does not pose risks related to its genotoxic potential, and also contains components with apoptotic and antigenotoxic potential.

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Published

2020-12-09

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How to Cite

Laurus nobilis L.: assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts by micronucleus and Allium cepa assays. (2020). Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 56, e18302 . https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902019000318302