In vitro cytotoxicity and ex-vivo genotoxicity in compounds from Waltheria viscosissima A. St. Hil. Brazilian species of the Malvaceae family sensu lato

Abstract

Introduction: Alternative therapies using medicinal plants and herbal medicines have been growing worldwide, as natural treatments have low cost and less toxic effect compared to conventional drugs available. Aim: To evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity and ex-vivo genotoxicity of Brazilian species of the Malvaceae family: Waltheria viscosissima A. St. Hil. In vitro methods were used to verify the cytotoxic potential through hemolytic and antihemolytic assays and the ex-vivo genotoxic analysis. Results: The Crude Etanolic Extract (CEE) and Cloroformic Fraction (CF) was obtained in vegetal sample used on this study; the CEE-Wv and CF-Wv products exhibited the lowest cytotoxic potential with hemolysis less than 40% in all concentrations evaluated. A moderate anti-hemolytic effect was described in all samples treated with 500 and 1000 μg/mL, with hemolysis <60 %. In addition, the compounds showed low ex-vivo genotoxic effect with a general index of normal cells greater than 84 % at all concentrations. Conclusion: The results suggest a low toxic profile of the compounds obtained from species of the Malvaceae family, indicating safe limits for the use of these natural products.