Cytotoxic action of the stem aqueous extract of the stem of Cereus jamacaru DC. (mandacaru)

Resumen

Introduction: cereus jamacaru DC. (Cactaceae), with popular name mandacaru, is a plant from the Brazilian semiarid region with medicinal properties against various diseases.
Objective: to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of crude aqueous extracts obtained from C. jamacaru on the cell cycle of meristematic root cells of Allium cepa L.
Methods: the C. jamacaru aqueous extracts were prepared by trituration of pieces from inside the cladodes immersed in distilled water. The concentration considered optimal for the treatment of diseases is 500/2 L. From this concentration were more established other two 500/1.5 and 500/1 L. Each concentration was evaluated at times of 24 and 48 hours exposure. A group of five bulbs of A. cepa was used. The root tips were collected and fixed in acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours. The slides were prepared by crushing and stained with 2 % acetic orcein. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square (p < 0.05).
Results: the results showed that the concentrations of 500/1.5 and 500/1 g/L have an antiproliferative effect and induced a statistically significant number of cellular aberrations in the test system cells in question.
Conclusion: under the conditions studied, these two concentrations present as cytotoxic.