Evaluation of the influence of a nanotechnological system on the antibacterial, mutagenic and cytotoxic activities induced by extracts of Byrsonima coccolobifolia

Abstract

Plants of the genus Byrsonima (Malpighiaceae), popularly known as '' murici-red '' or '' murici-cascudo '', represent a rich source of catechin and epicatechin derivatives. In folk medicine, they are generally used as tea for the treatment of gastric ulcers, infections, inflammation of the skin, fever and asthma. In addition, according to the literature, some species present scientifically proven pharmacological activities, such as antiulcerogenic and antimicrobial. However, previous studies carried out by our group demonstrated the mutagenic potential of the Ames test of the 70% ethanolic extract of Byrsonima coccolobifolia leaves. Thus, it has become relevant to investigate the influence of the incorporation of this extract in a nanostructured lipid system with respect to the antibacterial, mutagenic and cytotoxic activities. Nanostructured lipid systems, such as microemulsions, have been prominent in the field of pharmaceutical sciences because of their improved solubility and stability of the drugs, besides providing prolonged action and being able to transport substances with different degrees of hydrophilicity / lipophilicity. The mutagenicity of the incorporated extract will be evaluated using the reverse gene mutation assay with Salmonella typhimurium (Ames test) with strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, in the absence and presence of metabolization; the cytotoxicity (IC50) against a normal cell line (GM-07492) and a carcinogen profile (HepG2) by the MTT method and the antibacterial potential, using the microplate dilution technique, against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. It is thus hoped to optimize by means of a nanostructural system the study of B. coccolobifolia extract in order to produce a herbal product aiming for efficacy and safety before it can be widely used in benefit for human health. (AU)