In vivo photochemical micronucleus induction due to certain quinolone antimicrobial agents in the skin of hairless mice

The skin micronucleus test combined with irradiation due to a sunlight simulator having a spectrum almost identical to solar irradiation was used as a novel in vivo testing method for detecting or comparing the photochemical chromosome damage of quinolone antibacterial agents (quinolones). Eight-week-old male SKH1 hairless mice were orally administered once lomefloxacin (LFLX), a strong in vitro photochemical clastogen, at 25 or 50 mg/kg, followed by light irradiation at 7.9-9.4J/cm2 of ultraviolet A (UVA). Animals were killed on Days 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 (the dosing day was designated as Day 1), and the incidence of micronucleus in the epidermis was determined. As results, LFLX at either dose caused significant increases in the micronucleus frequency, which peaked on Day 4. These changes tended to return to the control level on Day 8. Then, the micronucleus induction potential of the quinolone derivatives levofloxacin (LVFX) and clinafloxacin (CLFX) at 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg was assessed on Day 4 under the same experimental conditions as for LFLX. Although LVFX was negative even at 40 mg/kg, CFLX dose-dependently induced significant increases in micronucleus frequency at all doses. The correlation of magnitude among the three quinolones in the skin micronucleus test with light irradiation was similar to that in our previous in vitro photochemical clastogenicity study. No significant increase in micronucleus frequency was observed in any of three quinolones employed without light irradiation. In conclusion, the experimental method presented here would be a useful tool for detecting in vivo photochemical chromosome damage and for research on photochemical carcinogenesis of chemicals.     

In vivo photochemical micronucleus induction due to certain quinolone antimicrobial agents in the skin of hairless mice

The skin micronucleus test combined with irradiation due to a sunlight simulator having a spectrum almost identical to solar irradiation was used as a novel in vivo testing method for detecting or comparing the photochemical chromosome damage of quinolone antibacterial agents (quinolones). Eight-week-old male SKH1 hairless mice were orally administered once lomefloxacin (LFLX), a strong in vitro photochemical clastogen, at 25 or 50 mg/kg, followed by light irradiation at 7.9–9.4 J/cm² of ultraviolet A (UVA). Animals were killed on Days 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 (the dosing day was designated as Day 1), and the incidence of micronucleus in the epidermis was determined. As results, LFLX at either dose caused significant increases in the micronucleus frequency, which peaked on Day 4. These changes tended to return to the control level on Day 8. Then, the micronucleus induction potential of the quinolone derivatives levofloxacin (LVFX) and clinafloxacin (CLFX) at 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg was assessed on Day 4 under the same experimental conditions as for LFLX. Although LVFX was negative even at 40 mg/kg, CFLX dose-dependently induced significant increases in micronucleus frequency at all doses. The correlation of magnitude among the three quinolones in the skin micronucleus test with light irradiation was similar to that in our previous in vitro photochemical clastogenicity study. No significant increase in micronucleus frequency was observed in any of three quinolones employed without light irradiation. In conclusion, the experimental method presented here would be a useful tool for detecting in vivo photochemical chromosome damage and for research on photochemical carcinogenesis of chemicals.     

Anticlastogenicity of chlorophyllin in the different cell cycle phases in cultured mammalian cells

Chlorophyllin (Chln), a sodium-copper salt derivative of chlorophyll, like chlorophyll-a and -b found in green plants, has been studied for its protective action against the carcinogenic effects of various physical and chemical agents and in relation to the mutagenic and clastogenic activities of genotoxic agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate chlorophyllin in different phases of the cell cycle for clastogenicity and anticlastogenicity, the latter in reversing DNA damage induced by ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). The test for chromosomal aberrations was performed in cultured mammalian cells (CHO-K1). The three Chln concentrations tested (6.25, 12.5 and 25 microg/ml) were not clastogenic and damage induced by EMS (1240 microg/ml) was reduced in cells treated with Chln as well during S (25-48%) and G2/S (70-80%). The results demonstrate a greater protective effectiveness of Chln against EMS during G2/S.     

Clastogenicity, photo-clastogenicity or pseudo-photo-clastogenicity: Genotoxic effects of zinc oxide in the dark, in pre-irradiated or simultaneously irradiated Chinese hamster ovary cells

Zinc oxide (ZnO), a widely used ingredient in dermatological preparations and sunscreens, is clastogenic in vitro, but not in vivo. Given that ZnO has an approximately four-fold greater clastogenic potency in the presence of UV light when compared with that in the dark, it has been suggested to be photo-clastogenic. In order to clarify whether this increased potency is a genuine photo-genotoxic effect, we investigated the clastogenicity of ZnO (mean particle size, 100 nm) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in the dark (D), in pre-irradiated (PI, i.e. UV irradiation of cells followed by treatment with ZnO) and in simultaneously irradiated (SI, i.e. ZnO treatment concurrent with UV irradiation) CHO cells at UV doses of 350 and 700 mJ/cm(2). The cytotoxicity of ZnO to CHO cells under the different irradiation conditions was as follows: SI>PI>D. In the dark, ZnO produced a concentration-related increase in chromosome aberrations (CA). In PI or SI CHO cells, ZnO was clastogenic at significantly lower concentrations (approximately two- to four-fold) when compared with effective concentrations in the dark, indicating an increased susceptibility of CHO cells to ZnO-mediated clastogenic effects due to UV irradiation per se. The incidence of CA in SI or PI cells was generally higher than that in the dark. At similar ZnO concentrations, SI conditions generally produced higher CA incidence than PI conditions. However, when ZnO concentrations producing similar cytotoxicity were compared, CA incidences under PI or SI conditions were nearly identical. The modest increase in the clastogenic potency of ZnO following UV irradiation contrasts with the results observed with genuine photo-clastogenic agents, such as 8-MOP, which may produce an increase in clastogenic potency of >15,000-fold under SI conditions. Our results provide evidence that, under conditions of in vitro photo-clastogenicity tests, UV irradiation of the cellular test system per se may produce a slight increase in the genotoxic potency of compounds that are clastogenic in the dark. In conclusion, our data suggest that minor increases in clastogenic potency under conditions of photo-genotoxicity testing do not necessarily represent a photo-genotoxic effect, but may occur due to an increased sensitivity of the test system subsequent to UV irradiation.     

Adsorption of sterigmatocystin by montmorillonite and inhibition of its genotoxicity in the Nile tilapia fish (Oreachromis nilaticus)

Sterigmatocystin (Stg) is closely related to the mycotoxin aflatoxin as a precursor in aflatoxin biosynthesis and classified as an IARC Group-2B carcinogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Egyptian montmorillonite (EM), a clay mineral, to adsorb Stg, to test the stability of the resulting complex under different conditions in vitro, and to utilize the Nile tilapia fish as an in vivo model to evaluate the protective effect of EM against Stg-induced toxicity and clastogenicity. In the in vitro study, four concentrations of EM (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/L aqueous solution) and three concentrations of Stg (5, 10 and 50 microg/ml) were tested. The results show that EM had a high capacity of adsorbing Stg at different concentrations tested. The adsorption ranged from 93.1 to 97.8% of the available Stg in aqueous solutions. The complex was stable at different pHs at 37 degrees C in different organic solvents. An in vivo experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of EM to prevent the toxicity and chromosomal aberrations induced by Stg in the Nile tilapia fish. Fish received an intragastric dose of EM in corn oil (0.5 mg/kg bw) with or without Stg (1.6 microg/kg bw) twice a week for 4 weeks. Body weight was recorded during dosing, and blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment. Stg residues were determined in fish tissue. The results show that Stg was toxic and clastogenic to fish as indicated by the significant decrease of body weight and the increase in frequencies of micronucleated red blood cells (MN RBC) and chromosomal aberrations in the kidney. The intragastric administration of EM combined with Stg to fish resulted in a reduction of the number of MN RBC and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the kidney compared with the group treated with Stg alone. It could be concluded that EM itself was safe and successful in the prevention of Stg toxicity and clastogenicity.     

Effect of pH on the activity and stability of clastogens in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test with Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells

The effect of the pH of the medium on the clastogenic activity of several direct-acting and indirect clastogens was evaluated in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test with Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells. Furthermore, the stability of the chemicals in the cell culture medium was measured by HPLC over the pH range of 5.0-11.0. The activity of the direct-acting clastogens mitomycin C (MMC), N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) at various pH values depended on their stability. In the case of ENNG, its clastogenic activity decreased to about one-fifth at pH 9 but was about twice as high at acidic pH compared with that at pH 7.4. This is consistent with the observation that ENNG is unstable at basic pH; the residual content of ENNG was 0.5% of the initial amount in cell culture medium at pH 9.0 after a 2-h incubation. 4NQO was unstable at strongly basic pH (pH 10-11), and MMC was unstable at pH 5.0 and pH 11.0. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by MMC and ENNG were correspondingly decreased at these pH values. On the other hand, the clastogenicities of the indirect clastogens 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), which require metabolic activation, were reduced at pH 10-11 and pH 5.8. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations at these pHs were almost equal to negative control values. These chemicals were stable in the medium in the absence of S9 mix over the pH range of 5.0-11.0. Thus clastogenicity of indirect-acting clastogens is reduced under extreme pH conditions, probably because of the instability or nonformation of the active form. The present results indicate that the clastogenic activity of any compound will depend on its stability in the medium irrespective of its direct- or indirect-acting nature. In addition, some of the chemicals that are recognized as clastogens presumably might induce chromosomal aberrations by means of acidic pH itself. It is, therefore, important to take account of the pH of the treatment medium in evaluating the clastogenicity of chemicals.     

Chromium is the proximate clastogenic species for lead chromate-induced clastogenicity in human bronchial cells

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a well-established human lung carcinogen with potentially widespread exposure. Solubility is a key factor in the carcinogenicity of Cr(VI), with the water-insoluble or 'particulate' compounds being the more potent carcinogens. Studies have indicated that the component ions are responsible for their clastogenicity, but it is uncertain whether chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) or some combination of the two is responsible for the clastogenic effects. Accordingly, we compared the clastogenicity of lead chromate (LC) with soluble sodium chromate (SC) and lead glutamate (LG) in WTHBF-6 human lung cells. We found that 1436microM was the maximal intracellular level of Pb after exposure to clastogenic concentrations of LC. However, clastogenesis was not observed after exposure to LG, even when intracellular Pb concentrations reached 13,347microM, indicating that intracellular Pb levels did not reach clastogenic levels in WTHBF-6 cells after LC treatment. By contrast, SC was clastogenic damaging 16 and 44% of metaphase cells at intracellular Cr doses of 312 and 1262microM respectively, which was comparable to the clastogenesis observed after LC treatment. LC damaged 10, 27 and 37% of metaphases at intracellular Cr doses of 288, 926 and 1644microM, respectively. These data indicate that with respect to LC-induced clastogenicity, Cr and not Pb is the proximate clastogenic species in human lung cells.     

Evaluation of the clastogenicity and anticlastogenicity of the carotenoid bixin in human lymphocyte cultures

Carotenoids are regarded as effective antioxidants, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic agents. Annatto, a red-yellow extract obtained from seeds of Bixa orellana L. is a mixture of several carotenoids and one of them bixin (BXN), is known as its major coloring compound. Studies on BXN clastogenicity and anticlastogenicity in cultured human lymphocytes have not been reported so far. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the ability of BXN to induce chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro and to examine the possible anticlastogenic effect of this carotenoid in chromosomal damage induced by the clastogen cisplatin (cDDP). Human blood samples were obtained from six healthy, non-smoking volunteers; two females and four males aged 18-35 years. The concentrations of BXN (1.0; 2.5; 5.0 or 10 microg/mL) tested in combination with cDDP were established on the basis of mitotic index (MI) measurements. The data showed that BXN was not cytotoxic or clastogenic, when compared to untreated control. A marked decrease in the MI values compared to the untreated control and an increased percentage of aberrant metaphases was seen in all cultures treated with cDDP. The carotenoid efficiency in reducing the inhibitory effect of cDDP on lymphocyte MI is concentration-dependent. Cultures simultaneously treated with BXN and cDDP showed a statistically significant reduction in total chromosomal aberrations and aberrant metaphases. In our experiments, BXN may have acted as an antioxidant by intercepting free radicals generated by cDDP. The data obtained in the present study suggest that dietary carotenoids may act as protective agents against clastogenic effects of antitumor agents. However, extensive studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action of BXN before its therapeutic use.     

Comparative analysis of the clastogenicity and cytotoxicity of airborne particulate matter generated during the fire at Schweizerhalle on November 1, 1986

Methanol extracts from 4 pairs of airconditioner filters (one fire-exposed and one control) from various locations (A, B, C and D) at various distances from the site of the fire were examined for their capacity to induce structural chromosomal aberrations and/or cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Extracts from 2 additional sets of 3 filters which were exposed to urban air for 3 consecutive periods of 10 or 11 days some 4 months after the fire were also tested. Chromosomal aberrations were induced by all filter extracts from location B, as well as by an unused (non-exposed) filter, in a dose-dependent manner. Without the addition of metabolizing enzymes, aberrations were induced only at concentrations which caused more than 95% cell killing. This was not taken as an indication for clastogenic activity of the filter extracts, but was assumed to represent the chromosomal expression of metabolic changes in dying cells. Upon the addition of S9, chromosomal aberrations were induced at biologically relevant survival rates. Under metabolizing conditions, the ranking of the potential of the filter extracts from location B to induce chromosomal aberrations and to cause cell killing was identical. The remaining extracts (locations A, C and D) were therefore tested for cytotoxicity only. The toxicity data indicated that, of 3 pairs of filters, the fire-exposed one was not different from the control. Of the fourth pair (location B), the fire-exposed filter was 2.0-2.5 times more cytotoxic and clastogenic than the control. However, extracts of urban air-exposed filters from this location (exposed in March and April 1987) showed a large variation in toxicity and clastogenicity as well. One was clearly more active than the control (but less than the fire-exposed filter), while the other 2 were either somewhat more or less clastogenic than the control filter. In addition, 4 out of 5 filters from this location were more polluted (as indicated by cytotoxicity) than all the filters from the other locations, irrespective of whether they were fire-exposed or not. It is concluded that the results of this V79 cytotoxicity/clastogenicity test did not confirm the hypothesis that the fire at Schweizerhalle produced clastogenic material at quantities detectable under the conditions employed.     

Extrapolation from in vitro tests to human risk: experience with sodium fluoride clastogenicity

Genotoxic effects observed in vitro, only at high doses or high levels of cytotoxicity, will be false positives if such conditions are not achieved or cannot be tolerated in vivo. However, for such effects to be disregarded there must be a threshold dose or level of cytotoxicity below which genotoxicity is absent. Sodium fluoride (NaF) has previously been shown to be clastogenic in vitro in Syrian hamster cells and human fibroblasts. We have extended these studies in human fibroblasts and included a positive control (mitomycin C, MMC) which is clastogenic in vivo and carcinogenic, and a chemically related control (NaCl). Cytotoxicity was measured as mitotic inhibition and cell death (loss of clonogenicity). The results are used to illustrate the problems associated with quantitative extrapolation from in vitro tests to human risk, as follows. (1) There appears to be a threshold response (clastogenicity vs. dose) with NaF at around 10 micrograms/ml (48 h exposure) but a more definitive conclusion must await elucidation of the mechanisms of clastogenicity. (2) NaCl is weakly clastogenic at 1000 times the threshold dose for NaF. The mechanisms are unlikely to be similar. (3) No clastogenicity was detected with NaF below about 30% mitotic inhibition but the relationship between clastogenicity and mitotic inhibition was similar for NaF and MMC. (4) There was no obvious threshold in the relationship between clastogenicity and cell killing with NaF. MMC was less clastogenic than NaF at equitotoxic doses. Observations 3 and 4 preclude the possibility of regarding the clastogenicity of NaF as a false positive by virtue of associated cytotoxicity.     

Micronucleus, chromosome aberration, and small-colony TK mutant analysis to quantitate chromosomal damage in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells

In testing the hypothesis that the small-colony thymidine kinase-deficient mutants of L5178Y/TK+/- -3.7.2C mouse lymphoma cells represent an estimate of the clastogenicity of test chemicals, we have been performing gross aberration analysis. The present study was initiated to determine if the cytokinesis block method of micronucleus analysis could be performed in mouse lymphoma cells and to compare 3 different endpoints of clastogenicity: the number of metaphases with aberrations, number of binucleates with micronuclei, and small-colony TK mutant frequency. In this study, 12 compounds having varying clastogenic potencies were evaluated. As would be expected, the 3 endpoints vary in the relative magnitude of the quantitated response. This difference likely results from the types of clastogenic damage detected by each endpoint. Of the 3 endpoints tested, only the small-colony TK mutant frequency measures events compatible with long-term cell survival.     

Antimicrobial activity of the extract and isolated compounds from Baccharis dracunculifolia D. C. (Asteraceae)

Baccharis dracunculifolia D.C. (Asteraceae) is the most important plant source of the Brazilian green propolis. Since propolis is known for its antimicrobial activity, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of B. dracunculifolia and some of its isolated compounds. The results showed that the leaves extract of B. dracunculifolia (BdE) presents antifungal and antibacterial activities, especially against Candida krusei and Cryptococcus neoformans, for which the BdE showed IC50 values of 65 microg mL(-1) and 40 microg mL(-1), respectively. In comparison to the BdE, it was observed that the green propolis extract (GPE) showed better antimicrobial activity, displaying an IC50 value of 9 microg mL(-1) against C. krusei. Also, a phytochemical study of the BdE was carried out, affording the isolation of ursolic acid (1), 2a-hydroxy-ursolic acid (2), isosakuranetin (3), aromadendrin-4'-methylether (4), baccharin (5), viscidone (6), hautriwaic acid lactone (7), and the clerodane diterpene 8. This is the first time that the presence of compounds 1, 2, and 8 in B. dracunculifolia has been reported. Among the isolated compounds, 1 and 2 showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, displaying IC50 values of 5 microg mL(-1) and 3 microg mL(-1), respectively. 3 was active against C. neoformans, showing an IC50 value of 15 microg mL(-1) and a MIC value of 40 microg mL(-1), while compounds 4-8 were inactive against all tested microorganisms. The results showed that the BdE, similar to the GPE, displays antimicrobial activity, which may be related to the effect of several compounds present in the crude extract.     

(E) -6-(1-alkyloxyiminoalkyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinones: synthesis, cytotoxic activity and antitumor activity

All of 13 (E)-6-(1-alkyloxyiminomethyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives synthesized showed high ED50 values, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 microg/mL against L1210 cells. However, they were inactive on A549 cells. Nine compounds exhibited higher T/C (%) values (318-388%) than Adriamycin (T/C, 315%).     

Acetylsalicylic acid exhibits anticlastogenic effects on cultured human lymphocytes exposed to doxorubicin

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with many pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic. Many studies have suggested the possible efficiency of ASA and other NSAIDs in preventing cancer. ASA could also have antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible clastogenic and anticlastogenic effects of different concentrations of ASA on doxorubicin-induced chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes. Human blood samples were obtained from six healthy, non-smoking volunteers; and the chromosomal aberration assay was carried out using conventional techniques. The parameters analyzed were mitotic index, total number of chromosomal aberrations and percentage of aberrant metaphases. The concentrations of ASA (25, 50 or 100 microg/mL) tested in combination with DXR (0.2 microg/mL) were established on the basis of the results of the mitotic index. The treatment with ASA alone was neither cytotoxic nor clastogenic (p>0.01). In lymphocyte cultures treated with different combinations of ASA and DXR, a significant decrease in the total number of chromosome aberrations was observed compared with DXR alone (p<0.01). This protective effect of ASA on DXR-induced chromosomal damage was obtained for all combinations, and it was most evident when ASA was at 25.0 microg/mL. In our experiments, ASA may have acted as an antioxidant and inhibited the chromosomal damage induced by the free radicals generated by DXR. The identification of compounds that could counteract the free radicals produced by doxorubicin could be of possible benefits against the potential harmful effects of anthracyclines. The results of this study show that there is a relevant need for more investigations in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the anticlastogenic effect of ASA.     

Further investigations on the clastogenicity of paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid in vitro

Paracetamol (PCM) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), both widely used analgesics, were tested for their clastogenicity in V79 cells in vitro. Rat liver S9 mix and primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) were used as external activation systems. ASA was found to be negative with and without activation system in concentrations up to 10(-2) M. In contrast PCM induced concentration-dependent chromosomal aberrations with and without activation system within the range of 3 x 10(-3) and 10(-2) M. The greatest effects were observed following continuous treatment with PRH activation and without external metabolization. Pulse treatments without external metabolization, with S9 mix and PRH were less effective. The clastogenic potency of PCM seems to be partly independent of metabolic activation. Although clastogenic effects in vitro were observed only in very high concentrations pharmacokinetic data and other published mutagenicity data indicate that there might be a risk for human use. Peak plasma levels of more than 10(-4) M have been reported (Forrest et al., 1982) and 2 groups of investigators (Kocisova et al., 1988; Hongslo et al., 1990) found PCM to be weakly clastogenic in human lymphocytes in vivo in the maximum human therapeutic dose range.     

Antitumor agents 200. Cytotoxicity of naturally occurring resveratrol oligomers and their acetate derivatives

Eleven resveratrol oligomers and six acetylated derivatives were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines. The acetate of (-)-ampelopsin A (12) showed potent and selective cytotoxic activity with ED50 values of 0.6, 0.7 and 2.0 microg/mL against KB, 1A9 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Hopeaphenol (10) and pallidol hexaacetate (13) also showed significant cytotoxicity against KB cells with ED50 values of 1.2 and 1.6 microg/mL, respectively.     

Highly selective antibacterial activity of novel alkyl quinolone alkaloids from a Chinese herbal medicine, Gosyuyu (Wu-Chu-Yu), against Helicobacter pylori in vitro

To elucidate the antibacterial activity of Gosyuyu, the crude extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been fractionated chromatographically, and each fraction was assayed for antibacterial activity against Helicobacterpylori (H. pylori) in vitro. As the result, a single spot having marked antibacterial activity against H. pylori was obtained and the chemical structure was analyzed. The isolated compound was revealed to be a novel alkyl quinolone alkaloid based on the solubility, IR spectra, NMR analysis and mass spectrometric data after purification by TLC of silica. We compared the antimicrobial activity of this compound with that of other antimicrobial agents and examined susceptibility of various intestinal pathogens. As the result, the new quinolone compounds obtained from Gosyuyu extracts were found to be a mixture of two quinolone alkaloids, 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-8-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone and 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-7-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone (MW: 339), reported previously. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against reference strains and clinically isolated H. pylori strains were less than 0.05 microg/ml, which was similar to the MIC of amoxicillin and clarithromycin that are used worldwide for the eradication of H. pylori, clinically. Furthermore, it was noted that the antimicrobial activity of these compounds was highly selective against H. pylori and almost non-active against other intestinal pathogens. The above results showed that these alkyl methyl quinolone (AM quinolones) alkaloids were useful for the eradication of H. pylori without affecting other intestinal flora.     

Mutagenicity of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its metabolites in short-term tests in vitro

The mutagenicity of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its metabolites was investigated in the reverse mutation assay using S. typhimurium strains and the chromosomal aberration test in vitro using a Chinese hamster fibroblast cell line, CHL. BHA, tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ), tert-butylquinone (BQ) and BHA dimer (diBHA) did not show any mutagenic potential with and without S9 mix in the reverse mutation assay. In addition to the above 4 chemicals, 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole (BHA-OH), 3-tert-butylanisole-4,5-quinone (BHA-o-Q), and tert-butylquinone oxide (BQO) were tested in the chromosomal aberration test. BHA, BHQ and BQ induced chromosomal aberrations only in the presence of S9 mix, while BHA-OH, BHA-o-Q and BQO induced chromosomal aberrations only without S9 mix. DiBHA, however, showed no clastogenic potential with and without S9 mix. The present findings suggest that BHA-OH, BHA-o-Q or BQO may contribute to the clastogenicity of BHA in the presence of S9 mix.     

Antileishmanial, antimalarial and antimicrobial activities of the extract and isolated compounds from Austroplenckia populnea (Celastraceae)

Austroplenckia populnea (Celastraceae), known as "marmelinho do campo", is used in Brazilian folk medicine as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoural agent. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antileishmanial and antimalarial activities of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of A. populnea (CHE) and some of its isolated compounds. The phytochemical study of the CHE was carried out affording the isolation of methyl populnoate (1), populnoic acid (2), and stigmast-5-en-3-O-beta-(D-glucopyranoside) (3). This is the first time that the presence of compound 3 in A. populnea is reported. The results showed that the CHE presents antifungal and antibacterial activities, especially against Candida glabrata and Candida albicans, for which the CHE showed IC50 values of 0.7 microg mL(-1) and 5.5 microg mL(-1), respectively, while amphotericin B showed an IC50 value of 0.1 microg mL(-1) against both microorganisms. Compounds 1-3 were inactive against all tested microorganisms. In the antileishmanial activity test against Leishmania donovani, the CHE showed an IC50 value of 52 microg mL(-1), while compounds 2 and 3 displayed an IC50 value of 18 microg mL(-1) In the antimalarial assay against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 and W2 clones), it was observed that all evaluated samples were inactive. In order to compare the effect on the parasites with the toxicity to mammalian cells, the cytotoxicity activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against Vero cells, showing that all evaluated samples exhibited no cytotoxicity at the maximum dose tested.     

Clastogenicity of low pH to various cultured mammalian cells.

It has been reported that low pH itself can be clastogenic to Chinese hamster ovary cells or mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells. On the other hand, there was no indication that low pH is clastogenic to rat or human lymphocytes. Therefore, in order to evaluate the generality of clastogenicity of low pH conditions, chromosomal aberration tests were carried out on Chinese hamster cell line cells (CHO-K1, CHL, Don and V79 379A) and human cells (HeLa and peripheral lymphocytes used as whole-blood cultures). The cytotoxicity of low pH to each cell line was also evaluated by counting surviving cells. The treatment medium used was Eagle's MEM containing 15 mM MES or Bis-Tris as an organic buffer to maintain the acidity of the medium for the 6-h or 24-h treatment period, and pH adjustment was done with NaOH or HCl. Chromosomal aberrations were induced at pH 6.5 or below in CHO or CHL cells, and the maximum frequency was 24.7% at pH 6.0 or 34% at pH 6.3, respectively. About 5-10% of Don or HeLa cells had aberrations over the range of pH 6.6-6.0 or pH 6.6-6.3, respectively. In V79 379A cells or human lymphocytes, however, aberrant cells amounted to about 8% at near pH 6.0, where cell survival was low (less than 20%). About 90% of aberrations induced in each cell line examined were chromatid-type gaps and breaks. When CHO or CHL cells were treated with acidic medium for 6 h plus 18 h recovery in fresh medium, about 20% of cells had aberrations including chromatid exchanges at pH 5.5 or pH 5.7, respectively. These results indicate that clastogenicity of low pH is a general finding, although the extent of it varies with cell type, and that the clastogenicity is associated with varying extents of cytotoxicity. The mechanisms of clastogenesis at low pH are not known, but might involve inhibition of DNA or protein synthesis or DNA-repair enzymes.