Evaluation of cytogenetoxicity and antimutagenicity activities of aqueous extracts of Bidens Pilosa using the Allium cepa bioassay

Abstract

Introduction: Since antiquity, the plants were used as a therapeutic recourse and, among all the different kinds of species, there is Bidens pilosa, popular known as beggar tick. B. pilosa has several therapeutic indications and it is especially recommended for its anti-inflammatory action, treatment of jaundice, hepatitis, hypertension and other diseases. Objective: Evaluate the cytogenotoxic and antimutagenic activity of B. pilosa commercial tea in Allium cepa meristematic cells. Methodology: The experimental assays were performed in Petri dishes using seeds of A. cepa, where the negative control received only distilled water and the positive control received the mutagenic agent Methyl methane-sulfonate (MMS). To evaluate the toxicity, three different concentrations of B. pilosa infusions were tested and for antimutagenicity analysis, the recommended concentration (6.24 g / L) was tested in different associations with MMS. The seeds germination were induced in a BOD oven at 24ºC and after completion of the bioassay, the roots were fixed in Carnoy solution. After that, the cytogenetic analysis was performed, taking into consideration the mitotic index and the presence of chromosomal and nuclear alterations as criteria for evaluation. For antimutagenicity, the rate of damage reduction was also verified. Results: Through the microscopic analysis it was possible to observe an increase in the mitotic index and the emergence of chromosomal alterations in all three concentrations tested. However, the antimutagenicity test showed good results, reducing damage up to 74.85%. Conclusion: Even with the detection of cytogenotoxic effects, the infusions of B. pilosa showed biological effects with high study potential, such as its antimutagenic action.