Phytochemical Composition and Protective Effect of Vernonanthura polyanthes Leaf against In Vivo Doxorubicin-Mediated Toxicity

Abstract

Vernonanthura polyanthes (Spreng.) A.J. Vega & Dematt. (syn.: Vernonia polyanthes Less) is popularly known as “assa-peixe” and its leaves are used in folk medicine mainly to treat respiratory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the cytogenotoxic and anticytogenotoxic potential of the V. polyanthes leaf aqueous extract (VpLAE) and its n-butanol fraction (n-BF) in the presence or absence of doxorubicin (DXR) (pre-, co-, and post-treatments) on a murine model for 24 h or 120 h. The micronucleus test (MN) and the comet assay were used to assess the cytogenotoxic and anticytogenotoxic potential of VpLAE and n-BF (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) administered via gavage to Swiss Webster mice. The chemical profiles of VpLAE and n-BF were assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and their metabolites were putatively identified. Lastly, the possible biological activities related to the (anti) cytogenotoxicity of the compounds were predicted using the PASS online webserver. The in vivo results showed that different doses of VpLAE and n-BF did not present cytotoxic activity; however, the MN test revealed a slight mutagenic activity for the 24 h treatments. Moderate genotoxic effects were demonstrated for all treatments in the comet assay. Regarding anticytotoxicity and antimutagenicity, VpLAE and n-BF presented a high cytoprotective potential against DXR toxic effects. In the co-treatment, VpLAE reduced the DXR genotoxicity by ~27%, and n-BF did not demonstrate antigenotoxic potential. In contrast, an antigenotoxic effect was observed for both VpLAE and n-BF in the pre- and post-treatments, reducing DXR genotoxicity by ~41% and ~47%, respectively. Chemical analysis of VpLAE and n-BF showed the presence of eight phenolic compounds, including seven chlorogenic acids and a flavonoid. The PASS online tool predicted antimutagenic, anticancer, antineoplastic, chemoprotective, antioxidant, and radical scavenging activities for all constituents identified in VpLAE and n-BF. V. polyanthes leaves presented a protective effect against DXR cytogenotoxicity. In general, VpLAE and n-BF showed a greater antigenotoxic potential in the pre- and post-treatments. The metabolites putatively identified in VpLAE and n-BF exhibited antioxidant and chemoprotective potential according to computational prediction analysis. Altogether, our results highlight the potential application of V. polyanthes to protect against toxic manifestations induced by DXR.

Vernonia polyanthes Less. (Asteraceae Bercht. & Presl), a Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antibiotic Effect against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

“…V. polyanthes leaves are used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat several infectious diseases such as pneumonia, flu, coughs and uterine infections [ 28 ]. However, despite the antimicrobial potential of V. polyanthes leaves, a correlation between its chemical composition and its antibacterial activity has not been supported by any scientific evidence so far.…”

Genus Vernonia (Asteraceae): A Promising Source of Antitumor Agents with Pharmacological Potentials

“…Sesquiterpene lactones [42], flavonoids [3], steroids [43], and polysaccharides [33] have been detected in preparations from different species of Vernonia, and several biological activities were reported, including antitumor activity. "The anticancer property of these compounds has attracted a great deal of interest and extensive research studies have been carried out to characterize the anticancer activity, the molecular mechanisms, the chemopreventive potential and the chemotherapeutic application of these compounds" [3,44,45]. Studies focusing on anticancer activity of Vernonia species are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…Rocha et al [45] evaluated "the anticytotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Vernonia polyanthes leaf aqueous extract (VpLAE) and its n-butanol fraction (n-BF) against doxorubicin (DXR), a widely used chemotherapeutic, capable of performing single and double breaks in DNA. The association of DXR with VpLAE or n-BF in the co-, pre-, and post-treatments demonstrated an anticytotoxic potential of V. polyanthes.…”