Evaluation of mutagenic and estrogenic activities of extracts from Machaerium hirtum and Crotalaria pallida and mechanism of action of the isolated compounds

Abstract

The family Fabaceae is occurring throughout the tropics and in temperate regions, with a family that has great economic potential. Machaerium, one of the genera belonging to the family Fabaceae, is inserted in Papiloideae subfamily and has been used for various purposes, from the restoration of degraded areas, up to treat diarrhea, menstrual cramps, cough and oral thrush. Since the genus Crotalaria, has been used in agriculture in tropical countries such as green manure to prevent erosion and also aroused interest in the pharmaceutical industry, since the components produced by these plants can act as antimicrobial, inhibiting the growth of the parasite that causes malaria, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatotoxic. Medicinal plants have been increasingly employed in health recovery, and in recent decades, many studies are being directed at identification of natural products with therapeutic properties. One of the interests of researchers is the discovery of compounds that may offer benefits to hormone replacement therapy. Within this context, one of the tests used to assess the potential estrogenic is the RYA (Recombinant Yeast Assay). However, it is necessary to ensure the safe use of these compounds. Many plants used by ancient cultures proved to be toxic, some are common constituents of plant extracts present cytotoxic or genotoxic. Thus, testing to ensure the use of these compounds is of extreme importance. The Ames test is a screening test for evaluating the mutagenic potential of extracts. You can also check the relationship of the enzyme ciclogenase-2 with the mutagenic profile, since in many cases the inflammation may be a precursor to carcinogenesis. So it is of fundamental importance the study of species of Fabaceae family, not just in search of compounds that may be candidates for hormone replacement, as well as ensuring the use of these compounds by testing is well established. (AU)