RESUMO
Jaboticaba Plinia peruviana (Poir.) Govaerts is a Brazilian berry that presents high levels of polyphenols, which may play a key role in preventing cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of harmful agents. Although copper is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role in organisms, high copper concentrations may trigger toxicity to animals and plants. Here, we investigated whether Plinia peruviana hydroalcoholic extract prevents copper-induced cytotoxicity in Allium cepa root cells. Five different anthocyanins and phenolic compounds were identified in Plinia peruviana extract. Importantly, the exposure to 1.53 mg/L copper for 24 h impaired mitotic index, as well as increased mitosis disturbances and triggered DNA damage. Pre-incubation with Plinia peruviana extract (0.25 g/L and 0.75 g/L) for 3 h prevented copper-induced changes in the mitotic index and reduced the number of abnormal cells. In conclusion, we suggest that Plinia peruviana peel extract has protective effects against cellular and genetic disturbances induced by copper.
Assuntos
Cobre/toxicidade , Dano ao DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Ambientais/toxicidade , Myrtaceae/química , Cebolas/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Antocianinas/isolamento & purificação , Antocianinas/farmacologia , Brasil , Frutas/química , Índice Mitótico , Modelos Teóricos , Cebolas/citologia , Cebolas/genética , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Polifenóis/isolamento & purificação , Polifenóis/farmacologiaRESUMO
Hydropower offers a reliable source of electricity in several countries, and Brazil supplies its energy needs almost entirely through hydropower plants. Nevertheless, hydropower plants comprise large buildings and water reservoirs and dams, resulting in huge ecological disruptions. Here, we analyzed the impact of four hydropower reservoirs construction in metals and pesticides incidence and the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of sediment elutriate of rivers from southern Brazil. Our analyses have evidenced the elevated incidence of different metals (lead, iron, cadmium, and chrome) and pesticides (methyl parathion, atrazine, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). We showed that Allium cepa exposed to sediment elutriates did not change the seed germination rate and mitotic index. However, roots from Allium cepa exposed to reservoirs sediment elutriates showed increased occurrence of chromosomal aberrations and nuclear abnormalities. Therefore, the results obtained in our study indicate that sediment from reservoirs present elevated concentration of metals and pesticides and a significant genotoxic potential. Taken together, our data support that hydropower reservoirs represent an environmental scenario that could impact surrounding wildlife and population.
Assuntos
Aberrações Cromossômicas/induzido quimicamente , Metais Pesados/toxicidade , Cebolas/efeitos dos fármacos , Resíduos de Praguicidas/toxicidade , Centrais Elétricas , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Brasil , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Metais Pesados/análise , Micronúcleos com Defeito Cromossômico/induzido quimicamente , Testes para Micronúcleos , Índice Mitótico , Cebolas/genética , Resíduos de Praguicidas/análise , Raízes de Plantas/efeitos dos fármacos , Raízes de Plantas/genética , Rios/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Copper is a heavy metal found at relatively high concentrations in surface waters around the world. Copper is a micronutrient at low concentrations and is essential to several organisms. At higher concentrations copper can become toxic, which reveal the importance of studying the toxic effects of this metal on the aquatic life. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of copper on the behavior and biochemical parameters of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish were exposed for 24h at a concentration of 0.006 mg/L Cu. After the exposure period, behavioral profile of animals was recorded through 6 min using two different apparatuses tests: the Novel Tank and the Light-Dark test. After behavioral testing, animals were euthanized with a solution of 250 mg/L of tricaine (MS-222). Brain, muscle, liver and gills were extracted for analysis of parameters related to oxidative stress and accumulation of copper in these tissues. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined in brain and muscle. Results showed acute exposure to copper induces significant changes in behavioral profile of zebrafish by changing locomotion and natural tendency to avoid brightly lit area. On the other hand, there were no significant effects on parameters related to oxidative stress. AChE activity decreased significantly in zebrafish muscle, but there were no significant changes in cerebral AChE activity. Copper levels in tissues did not increase significantly compared to the controls. Taken together, these results indicate that a low concentration of copper can acutely affect behavioral profile of adult zebrafish which could be partially related to an inhibition on muscle AChE activity. These results reinforce the need of additional tests to establishment of safe copper concentrations to aquatic organisms and the importance of behavioral parameters in ecotoxicological studies.