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Sm. (Rosaceae) is a plant traditionally used in Brazil and some other countries to treat diarrhea, stomach diseases, and as an analgesic, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and as well as other pharmacological properties. The aim of this study was to examine cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of R. rosifolius leaves extract on HepG2/C3A cells and correlate these findings with the expression of mRNA to underlying mechanisms of action. At concentrations between 0.01 and 100 µg/ml, cytotoxic effects were not detected by the MTT assay. This was confirmed by mRNA induction of the CYP3A4 gene (by RT-qPCR assay). However, genotoxic effects occurred at treatments from 1 µg/ml extract (comet and micronucleus test). An increase in the number of cells in S phase was observed at 100 µg/ml, and an elevation in apoptotic cell number was found for all tested concentrations (10, 20, or 100 µg/ml) (cell cycle and apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry). The genotoxicity induced by the extract was the main cause of the rise in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis, as indicated by rise in mRNA of CASP7 gene, and elevation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle at the higher tested concentrations, as an attempt to repair genetic damage that occurred. These observations suggest that, despite its pharmacological potential, the use of R. rosifolius leaves extract may pose a risk to the integrity of the genetic material of human cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubus rosifolius, popularly known as "red mulberry", is a common medicinal plant in southern Brazil and is used as an antidiarrheal, analgesic, antimicrobial and antihypertensive, and to treat stomach diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the R. rosifolius stem extract (RrSE) for possible in vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, using the comet assay and the micronucleus test to assess genotoxicity, and flow cytometry to assess the impact on the cell cycle and apoptosis in HepG2/C3A cells, in addition to evaluating the expression of genes linked to the induction of DNA damage, cell cycle, apoptosis and metabolism of xenobiotics. The MTT assay observed no cytotoxic effects at concentrations between 0.01 and 100 μg/mL of the extract. However, genotoxic effects occurred in treatments with the extract from a 1 μg/mL concentration. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in cells in the G2/M phase after treatment with 10 μg/mL, a decrease in cells in the G0/G1 phase in the treatment with 100 μg/mL, and a significant increase in total apoptotic cells. In the gene expression analysis, an increase in the CYP1A2 xenobiotics metabolizing gene expression was observed. Despite the promising pharmacological effects of R. rosifolius, the results revealed that the RrSE has genotoxic effect and induces apoptosis in HepG2/C3A cells, indicating danger in using this plant extract by humans. • Rubus rosifolius stem extract to produce genotoxicity in HepG2/C3A cell line. • Gene related to metabolism have been activated in HepG2/C3A cells treated with R. rosifolius. • Rubus rosifolius stem extract induced apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2/C3A cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze seeds oil has been used as a topical healing agent, applied mainly to parturients and snake bites. The objective was to investigate the effects of pracaxi oil (POP) on HepG2/C3A cells under cytogenotoxicity, cell cycle and apoptosis influence, and expression of metabolism and other related cell types proliferation genes. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT test and apoptosis and cell cycle interferences by flow cytometry. To identify genotoxicity were used comet and micronucleus tests. RT-qPCR investigated gene expression. PO chemical characterization has shown two significant triterpenes, identified as oleanolic acid and hederagenin. The results showed that the PO did not reduce cell viability at concentrations ranging from 31 to 500 μg/ml. Comet and micronucleus assays revealed the absence of genotoxic effects, and flow cytometry showed no cell cycle or apoptosis disturbance. RT-qPCR indicated that PO up-regulated genes related to metabolism (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP1A1), cell proliferation (mTOR), and oxidative stress (GPX1). The data indicate that PO has no cytogenotoxic effects and suggest that it activated the PI3/AKT/mTOR cascade of cell growth and proliferation. Inside the cells, the PO activated xenobiotic metabolizing genes, responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, can neutralize ROS with increased GPX1 gene expression without genetic damage, interruption of the cell cycle, or induction of apoptosis. • Pracaxi oil showed no genotoxic effects in HepG2/C3A cell line. • Pracaxi oil activated genes of metabolism. Occurrence of cellular proliferation after pracaxi oil exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]