Oxidant effects and toxicity ofCroton campestrisinDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Context: Croton campestris A.St.-Hil. (Euphorbiaceae) is a species native to Northeast Brazil used by traditional communities for the treatment of a variety of health problems. However, potential toxicological effects of this plant are unknown. Objective: The potential toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves on Drosophila melanogaster insect model, additionally with phytochemical constitution and cellular mechanisms mediating the action of extract were analysed in this study. Materials and methods: Constituents of the extract were evaluated by HPLC. In vitro antioxidant potential of extract was analysed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Flies injected culture medium mixed with extract (0.1-50 mg/mL) for 72 h. After, ROS production was evaluated by DCF-DA oxidation. Phosphorylation of MAPK signalling pathway was investigated by Western blotting method. Activity of antioxidant enzymes was analysed in homogenates.Results: Major components of the extract include quercetin (38.11 ± 0.06 mg/g), caffeic acid (20.06 ± 0.17 mg/g) and kaempferol (15.45 ± 0.05 mg/g). Consumption of the extract impaired locomotor performance and induced fly death of flies (LC 50 of 26.51 mg/mL). Augmented ROS formation and SOD, CAT and GST activity were observed from 0.1 mg/mL. JNK and p38 kinases phosphorylation was modulated and Paraquat-induced toxicity was augmented by extract. Discussion and conclusion: Our data show important toxicological effects of C. campestris leading to increased mortality and impaired locomotor performance accompanied by induction of cell stress markers in flies. The study draws attention to the indiscriminate use of plant extracts. ARTICLE HISTORY

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, Antimicrobial Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Chaptalia nutans Leaves

“…Regarding the toxicity of C. nutans extract against D. melanogaster, it was found that until the concentration of 15 mg/mL the extract showed no toxicity and that the LC 50 obtained was 24 mg/mL (Figure 4), distant values of the concentrations were used in the defense tests against oxidative stress. Brito Junior et al [99] verified for crude extract of Croton campestris leaves a LC 50 of 26.51 mg/mL after 4 days of treatment, approximately as found for C. nutans in 5 days of treatment, showing that the species under study is safe because it needs a very high concentration to be toxic, indicating that it may have pharmacological application of the extract in the future.…”

“…Also, it was found that Decalepis hamiltonii root extracts were able to protect flies from mortality and PQ-induced locomotor impairment [39]. Different results for Croton campestris hydroalcolic extract were observed and it was toxic when administered concomitantly with PQ, increasing the mortality rate, as well as changing the locomotor behavior of flies [99].…”

Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity of the Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

“…The result of the quantitative evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Croton argyrophyllus Kunth extract, performed by Costa et al (2017) by the FRAP method was 167.87 ± 2.88 µM Trolox/g of the sample. Júnior et al (2016), Oliveira (2015) in order to characterize a compound as an antioxidant, such activity should not be based on a single methodology, requiring the application of other methods, such as FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma). Thus, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the extract was also made by the FRAP method, with the antioxidant capacity being measured through the emergence of a dark blue color in the solutions, produced after the reduction of the iron Fe +3 to Fe +2 , due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in the evaluated samples.…”

Peroxiredoxin alleviates the fitness costs of imidacloprid resistance in an insect pest of rice

“…One the other hand, MAPK genes have been speculated to mediate the balanced rise of both juvenile hormone (JH) and molting hormone (20E), leading to reduction in the fitness cost incurred by Cry1Ac resistance in the diamondback moth [33]. Additionally, the generation of ROS and activation of MAPK members are both observed in insects under xenobiotic stress [75,76], suggesting that the ROS-scavenging system and MAPK-dependent pleiotropic hormone signaling network may work together to minimize the fitness costs of insecticide resistance. Further research is needed to reveal if the 2 modifier systems coexist and how they are orchestrated to reduce fitness cost when both modifier systems are present.…”