Investigação do potencial citotóxico e mutagênico de extratos do gênero Vanilla spp. de interesse comercial

Abstract

Vanilla, one of the most crucial spices globally, holds significant economic value. The Vanilla genus comprises approximately 120 species, with Vanilla planifolia G. Jackson being the primary species extensively utilized in the global production found in the food, perfume, and pharmaceutical industries. However, due to extensive exploitation, several Vanilla species face the threat of extinction, creating a crisis in Vanilla production. The Vanilla genus has a history of medicinal use by traditional communities, and some studies have confirmed its antiproliferative activity. It is of great interest to investigate species with the potential to occupy this market, which are of natural occurrence in Brazilian territory, such as Vanilla chamissonis Klotzsch and Vanilla bahiana Hoehne. With this purpose, methanolic extraction of these two mentioned species was conducted alongside Vanilla planifolia. Analyzes of the mutagenic potential were performed through the Ames test, and cell viability assays were conducted by verifying the effect of the extracts on mitochondrial activity WST assay in human hepatocarcinoma cells, HepG2, and mouse liver fibroblast cells, FC3H. In the Ames test, the assays were performed with concentrations from 0.5 and 5000 μg/ml and on strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA1535. None of the studied species exhibited mutagenicity, except for Vanilla planifolia at the highest concentration in the TA98 strain. Viability tests were performed within a dose range of 0.05 to 5000 µg/ml and exposures of 24, 48, and 72 hours. None of the species induced cytotoxicity, with a reduction in cell viability observed only at the highest concentration, 5000 µg/ml, for all three species and both cell types tested. Genotoxicity induction by the extracts was assessed at concentrations from 0.5 to 500 µg/ml through the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. No genotoxic damage, such as micronucleus induction, bridges, or buds, was observed. Furthermore, there was no reduction in the Nucleus Division Index (NDI). Observing these results, it is noted that the species did not generate mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, or genotoxicity, except at the highest dose. This promising data supports the evaluation of these compounds for potential human use, whether for food or pharmaceutical purposes.