Ação tóxica dos extratos de folhas de espécies de Aloysia (Verbenaceae) em embriões de Danio rerio: segurança para saúde humana

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants is a technique used by a large part of the global population, with therapeutic purposes, which is based on popular and scientific knowledge. Although this technique is popularly recognized as safe, several adverse effects can result from its use, related to the wrong choice of plant, interaction with other medications and incorrect dosage. Therefore, tests are necessary to evaluate the toxicity or possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused using medicinal plants. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the toxicity and potential interference of extracts from leaves of Aloysia gratíssima, Aloysia citrodora and Aloysia virgata in the cellular pathways of the embryonic process of Danio rerio. To this end, aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the three species were used at concentrations of 1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, and acute toxicity in Danio rerio embryos was evaluated using OECD protocol Nº. 236. The results showed that the aqueous extracts of the species Aloysia virgata and Aloysia citrodora, in the lowest concentration, allowed better performance in the morphogenetic routes of the embryos, the ethanolic extracts at all concentrations of the three species and the aqueous extract of A. gratíssima were cytotoxic in embryos within 24 hrs. Finally, it is suggested for future studies to use lower concentrations of extracts.