Cytotoxicity and maternal toxicity attributed to exposure to Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) dry leaf extract

Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), popularly known as "bitter melon" or "bitter gourd," is a climbing plant well-adapted to tropical countries. This plant is used traditionally to treat several conditions including diabetes mellitus, inflammation, liver dysfunctions, and can...

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Published in:Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Part A, 2023-01, Vol.86 (1), p.36-50
Main Authors: Trautenmuller, Ana Luisa, de Almeida Soares, Jonathan, Behm, Kamila Campos, Guimarães, Laura Maria Marques, Xavier-Silva, Kássia Roberta, Monteiro de Melo, Anielly, Caixeta, Graziele Alícia Batista, Abadia Marciano de Paula, Joelma, Luiz Cardoso Bailão, Elisa Flávia, Amaral, Vanessa Cristiane Santana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abnormalities
Acute toxicity
Allium cepa
Allium cepa test
Animal models
Animals
bitter gourd
bitter melon
Body mass
Chromosome aberrations
Cucurbitaceae
Cytogenetics
Cytotoxicity
developmental toxicity
Diabetes mellitus
Exposure
Female
Fetuses
High performance liquid chromatography
Leaves
Liquid chromatography
Liver cancer
Metabolites
Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia - chemistry
Momordica charantia L
Neoplasms
Offspring
Organogenesis
Plant extracts
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Pregnancy
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Rutin
Toxicity
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Summary:Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), popularly known as "bitter melon" or "bitter gourd," is a climbing plant well-adapted to tropical countries. This plant is used traditionally to treat several conditions including diabetes mellitus, inflammation, liver dysfunctions, and cancer. Given the widespread ethnopharmacological use, this study aimed to examine the cytogenetic, maternal, and developmental toxicity attributed to exposure to dry extract of M. charantia leaves using Allium cepa and Wistar rats as test models. First, phytochemical characterization of the dry extract by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses was performed. Then, Allium cepa roots were exposed to three different concentrations of the dry extract (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/ml) to determine the mitotic index, frequency of chromosomal aberrations, and nuclear abnormalities. In addition, pregnant Wistar rats were administered either 500; 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg dry extract during the gestational period (GD) days 6-15, and subsequently possible toxic effect on the dams and fetuses were recorded. HPLC analyses confirmed rutin as the main secondary metabolite present in the dry extract. In the Allium cepa test, the dry extract was cytotoxic. In Wistar rats, dry extract administration reduced water and feed intake and mean body mass gain, indicating maternal toxicity during the organogenesis period. However, the dry extract did not markedly affect reproductive outcome parameters evaluated. Regarding developmental toxicity assessment, the dry extract treatment did not significantly alter number of skeletal malformations in the offspring. Data demonstrated that the dry extract of M. charantia leaves presents cytotoxicity and low maternal toxicity, indicating indiscriminate use needs to be avoided.
ISSN:1528-7394
1087-2620
2381-3504
DOI:10.1080/15287394.2022.2157354