Cytogenetic and toxicological effects of Punica granatum Linnaeus fruit peel hydroethanolic extract in mice
Everton Pantoja Vale, Lucas Rodrigues do Rego, Danilo Dheyvison Nascimento Pureza, Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva, Francisco Fábio Oliveira de Sousa, Moacir de Azevedo Bentes Monteiro Neto
Abstract
Punica granatum Linnaeus (Lythraceae), popularly known as “romã”, “romeira” and “granada”, originated in Asia, can be found throughout the Mediterranean region and also in Brazil. It presents multiple therapeutic properties and has been widely used in folk medicine, food and cosmetics industries. This study aimed to evaluate the antigenotoxic and toxicological effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Punica granatum Linnaeus fruit peel (PGFP) in vivo. Four different concentrations of PGFP (87.5, 175, 350 and 700 mg/kg of b.w.) were administred orally to Swiss mice. Purified fresh water and doxorubicin (DXR = 15 mg/kg per b.w.) were administered to negative and positive control groups, respectively. The frequency of micronucleus was evaluated after 1, 2, 7, 14 and 21 days. Subacute toxicity was also assessed after the treatment period. The PGFP extract significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency, demonstrating a potent antigenotoxic effect, with reduction rates up to 82.8% in 24 h and up to 90.6% in 48 h (at 700 mg/kg dose). In the micronucleus assay, no genotoxic or cytotoxic effects were observed for the different doses administered, while no toxicity was evidenced in the subacute toxicity assay. In contrast, a low toxicity was histopathologically evidenced in spleen, heart and kidneys of PGFP treated mice after long-term administration. Accordingly, our results showed that the PGFP extracts could be considered an important phytotherapeutic alternative to chemoprevent diseases related to oxidative damage.