6/14/2021 Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of a folk medicine, Petiveria alliacea (Anamu) - PubMed

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Mutat Res. 1992 Jul;280(1):29-34.

doi: 10.1016/0165-1218(92)90015-r.

Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of a folk medicine,

Petiveria alliacea (Anamu)
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L S Hoyos  1 , W W Au, M Y Heo, D L Morris, M S Legator

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PMID:
1377342
DOI:
10.1016/0165-1218(92)90015-r

Abstract Follow NLM

Crude extract from a plant known as Petiveria alliacea (Anamu) is used extensively as folk medicine in
developing countries like Colombia, South America. Although the plant is known to contain toxic

ingredients potential adverse health effects from its use have not been adequately evaluated. We
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investigated its genotoxic activities by conducting a sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay using cells
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in vitro and in vivo. Lymphocytes from humans were treated at 24 h after initiation of culture for 6 h
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with alcohol extract from the folk medicine. Concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 250, 275, 500, 750, and 1000
micrograms/ml of the extract were used. Significant dose-dependent increase of SCE (3.7-7.4 SCE per Copyright

cell) were observed (analysis of variances, p less than 0.01). Delay in cell proliferation but not FOIA

inhibition of mitosis was also observed. In another experiment, mice were exposed once orally to 1x, Privacy
200x, 300x and 400x the human daily consumption dose of Anamu. The induction of sister chromatid
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exchanges in bone marrow cells were investigated. We observed a significant dose dependent
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increase of SCE compared with the saline control (2.15-4.53; p less than 0.01) and compared with the
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solvent control (3.04-4.53; p less than 0.01). Our data suggest, therefore, that the folk medicine
contains mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic agents although the medicine is not a potent
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mutagen. Individuals who consume large amounts of this drug may be at risk for development of
health problems. Further studies with cells from exposed individuals and from experimental animals
should be conducted to provide a better evaluation of health risk from the use of this drug.

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1377342/ 1/1