Genotoxic effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa extracts on Allium cepa vegetal system

CONTEXT. Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known in Brazil as guabiroba, is a plant used as antidiarrheic, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents, and in stomach and hepatic disorders.

The antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts and essential oil of C. xanthocarpa were evaluated.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous extracts (6 and 30 mg/mL) and essential oil (0.25%, v/v) obtained from leaves of C. xanthocarpa were evaluated using the Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae) assay. Mitotic index was calculated as the percentage of dividing cells of total cells observed; chromosome abnormalities were observed and counted during cell division. Additionally, the composition of the essential oil and the quantification of the main compounds of the extracts were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector, respectively.

Aqueous extracts (6 and 30 mg/mL) led to a reduction of 67.7% and 34.1% of the mitotic index, respectively, whereas the treatment with essential oil caused a 48.2% reduction in the mitotic index, when compared with negative control. Chromosomal mutations were observed and included anaphase bridges, delay chromosome, break chromosome, as well as metaphase with disorganized chromosomal and binuclear cells. The main compounds of the essential oil were β-caryophyllene (8.87%), viridiflorol (6.40%), spathulenol (5.16%), δ-cadinene (4.92%), linalool (4.46%) and α-cadinol (4.25%). Gallic acid (3.19%), chlorogenic acid (1.04%), quercetin (2.97%) and rutin (4.82%) were identified in an aqueous extract (30 mg/mL).

Our results demonstrated that genotoxic and antiproliferative activities are present in C. xanthocarpa infusions using the in vivo onion root-tip cell test.