OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and in vivo cytotoxicity of Synadenium grantii Hook, f. (Euphorbiaceae) latex.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The latex was diluted in distilled water and the Allium cepa (onion) test was used to measure the roots, verify the presence of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations, and calculate the mitotic index. The following treatments were used: negative control with distilled water; positive control with 0.0006 mg/L copper sulphate; and the test groups 0.8%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.025% containing the diluted latex with 10 replicates each. Data statistical analysis was performed using Graphpad Prism® v5.01 with ANOVA variance analysis, followed by the Tukey test with significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS:

Latex showed cytotoxic antiproliferative action on the cell cycle of onions roots, influencing the process of cell division as an increase in the number of prophases was observed, which did not progress to the next phase of the mitotic cycle, indicating cytotoxic activity.

CONCLUSION:

The present study evidenced a mutagenic/genotoxic effect of plant latex on Allium cepa meristematic cells, since all treatments, except for the concentration of 0.4%, presented high micronuclei media in comparison with the control group.

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