Avaliação da atividade antioxidante e dos perfis toxicológico e genotóxico do extrato aquoso das folhas de Alibertia edulis (Rich.) A. Rich. ex DC.

Abstract

Alibertia edulis, popularly known as "marmelo do Cerrado", is a Cerrado plant with great medicinal and nutritional potential. The tea leaves are used in folk medicine as it presents hypoglycemic, diuretic, calming and anti-hypertensive effects. Since there are no reports in the literature showing its toxicity in rats, this study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, toxicological and genotoxic profile of the aqueous extract of A. edulis leaves (AEAE). Pre-clinical (acute and subchronic toxicity) and genotoxic toxicity tests (comet assay and micronucleus test) were performed using male and female Wistar rats. In acute toxicity, the animals received a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of the AEAE and were observed for 14 days. In subchronic toxicity, comet and micronucleus tests, the animals received doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of the AEAE for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that the AEAE caused no behavioral changes as well as no hemato-biochemical, gross and histological alterations of target organs of the animals tested. The lethal dose was established as greater than 2000 mg/kg. In genotoxicity tests, the AEAE did not cause DNA damage in the blood cells of the animals when compared to the negative control group. Thus, it is concluded that AEAE did not cause any toxic effects in male and female rats after acute and subchronic exposure. However, further studies (reproductive toxicity) should be performed to ensure the safety and efficacy of A. edulis and conduct to clinical studies.