In Vivo Antigenotoxicity of Baccharin, an Important Constituent of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Baccharin (3-prenyl-4-(dihydrocinnamoyloxy)cinnamic acid) is an important chemical compound isolated from the aerial parts of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a native plant of South America, and the most important plant source of Brazilian green propolis. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of baccharin to modulate the genotoxic effects induced by doxorubicin and methyl methanesulphonate in male Swiss mice using the micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. The different doses of baccharin [0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg ⁄ kg body-weight (b.w.)] were administered simultaneously to doxorubicin (micronucleus test; 15 mg ⁄ kg b.w.) and to methyl methanesulphonate (comet assay; 40 mg ⁄ kg b.w.). The results showed a significant decrease in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in animals treated with baccharin and doxorubicin compared to animals that received only doxorubicin. This reduction ranged from 39.8% to 50.7% in the micronucleus test. The extent of DNA damage in liver cells was significantly lower in animals treated with different concentrations of baccharin combined with methyl methanesulphonate in comparison with the damage observed for animals treated only with methyl methanesulphonate. These differences resulted in a significant reduction in the extent of DNA damage, which ranged from 47.8% to 60.6%.

Inhibitory effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia on 1,2-dimethylhidrazine-induced genotoxicity and preneoplastic lesions in rat colon

“…In addition, baccharin showed protective activity against methyl methanesulfonateinduced DNA damage in the comet assay (Oliveira et al, 2011). Analysis of the chemopreventive activity of baccharin by the micronucleus test showed that this prenylated phenylpropanoid could reduce the level of chromosome damage induced by doxorubicin.…”

Assessment of the knowledge and attitudes of intern doctors to medication prescribing errors in a Nigeria tertiary hospital

“…Studies have shown that in about half of hospital admissions, physicians may make one prescribing error or the other. [7] Errors are more likely to occur with junior doctors[789] but are still prevalent in other senior categories of doctors. [710] Errors in prescribing can be attributed to a variety of factors including individual, environmental and organizational such as lack of knowledge, insufficient training, workload and communication.…”

“…Junior doctors are the most frequent prescribers in the hospital setting and are reported to make most of the prescribing errors. [7818] Knowing what drug to prescribe to which patient does not necessarily translate to a good prescription. Considering the fact that the majority of prescription-related errors in the hospital environment are made by junior doctors, it is necessary to educate the interns and develop interventions that will improve the prescribing qualities.…”

In vivo evaluation of the genetic toxicity of Rubus niveus Thunb. (Rosaceae) extract and initial screening of its potential chemoprevention against doxorubicin-induced DNA damage

“…Other two compounds isolated from Rubus coreanus extract, and commonly present in other plant extracts of the genus Rubus also decreased the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin, in renal epithelial LLC-PK cells (Kim et al, 2011). Many other authors who studied compounds and extracts that exert antioxidant effects also demonstrated protection against reactive oxygen species generated by DXR administration (Ribeiro et al, 2010;Oliveira et al, 2011).…”