Resumen Introducción: Momordica charantia L. es ampliamente utilizada para consumo y medicina tradicional debido a sus actividades biológicas. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre los efectos del melón amargo en las células sanas. Por lo tanto, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del extracto de Momordica charantia en linfocitos humanos aislados, especialmente en aspectos inflamatorios, citotóxicos, genotóxicos y mutagénicos. Método: Para ello se preparó un extracto hidroetanólico con frutos y semillas y se procedió a la identificación y cuantificación fitoquímica. Los linfocitos humanos purificados se expusieron a 12,5; 25; 50 µg/mL de extracto de Momordica charantia durante 24 horas y después de este período. Resultados: Los datos mostraron que el extracto de Momordica charantia no indujo citotoxicidad, alteraciones en la frecuencia de micronúcleos, ni actividad de interleucina-6, interleucina-10 ciclooxigenasa-2 y producción de óxido nítrico; sin embargo, causó daño en el ADN y una disminución de TNF-α en las condiciones experimentales y células aplicadas. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos proponen un proceso antiinflamatorio generado por Momordica charantia mediado por la reducción de TNF-α.

Abstract Introduction: Momordica charantia L. is widely used for consumption and traditional medicine due to its biological activities. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of bitter melon on healthy cells. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia extract in human isolated lymphocytes, especially on inflammatory, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity aspects. Method: For this, we prepared a hydroethanolic extract with fruits and seeds and proceeded with phytochemical identification and quantification. The human purified lymphocytes were exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL of Momordica charantia extract for 24h and, after this period. Results: The data showed that the Momordica charantia extract did not induce cytotoxicity, micronucleus frequency alterations, or interleukin-6, interleukin-10 cyclooxygenase-2 activity and the production of nitric oxide; however, it caused DNA damage and a decrease of TNF-α under the experimental conditions and cells applied. Conclusions: Our data propose an anti-inflammatory process generated by Momordica charantia mediated by TNF-α reduction.

ABSTRACT Ocimum is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Several studies about basil and its popular use reveal many characteristics of the herb, including its use as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others. In this paper, we evaluated genotoxic, oxidative, and anti-inflammatory parameters from the extract of Ocimum basilicum in different concentrations, using human leukocytes cultures exposed to challenging agents. Our results confirm that the O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively reverts or subjugates the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These actions are attributed to its composition, which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids as well as compounds such as rosmarinic acid, all of which have well-known antioxidant activity. We also show that our basil extract presents anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanism of which is a composed interaction between the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator and the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although pharmacodynamics studies are necessary to evaluate the activities in vivo, our results demonstrated that basil could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and a possible alternative for medicinal treatment.

RESUMO Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), comumente conhecida como aveloz, tem sido indiscriminadamente usada na medicina popular para o tratamento de várias doenças. Entretanto, alguns componentes podem ter consequências devastadoras. A lesão do material genético da célula pode causar mutações, câncer e morte celular. Nosso principal objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos genotóxicos e citotóxicos do extrato de E. tirucalli em leucócitos humanos. Para este propósito, realizamos uma análise fitoquímica dos componentes da planta. Em uma segunda etapa, culturas de leucócitos humanos foram tratados com diferentes concentrações do extrato seco da planta e então avaliamos os perfis oxidativos e genotóxicos nestes leucócitos. Nossos resultados mostraram que nas concentrações de 1% e 10%, o extrato de aveloz atua como agente genotóxico, o qual pode danificar o DNA e aumentar a dano oxidativo. Concluímos que, apesar do uso popular, a aveloz pode atuar como agente genotóxico, especialmente por conter o éster de forbol. O uso indiscriminado da aveloz pode na verdade promover tumores e, portanto, carrega um risco genético considerável para seus usuários.

ABSTRACT Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), commonly known as aveloz, has been indiscriminately used in popular medicine to treat various illnesses. However, some components can have devastating consequences. Injury to a cell's genetic material can cause mutations, cancer, and cell death. Our main goal in this work was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of E. tirucalli extract on human leukocytes. For this purpose, we performed a phytochemical analysis to evaluate the plant's components. In the second step, we treated cultured human leukocytes with different concentrations of the dry extract of the plant and then evaluated the oxidative and genotoxic profiles of these leukocytes. We found that at 1% and 10% concentrations, the aveloz extract acted as a genotoxic agent that could damage DNA and increase oxidative damage. We conclude that despite its popular use, aveloz can act as a genotoxic agent, especially when it contains phorbol ester. Aveloz's indiscriminate use might actually promote tumors and therefore carry a considerable genetic risk for its users.