Acute exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) adults to psychotria carthagenensis leaf extracts: chemical profile, lack of genotoxicity and histological changes

Abstract

Psychotria carthagenensis is a shrubby plant, often consumed by traditional populations in religious rituals. Previous studies have shown that this plant’s infusion can inhibit the activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in rats. Despite the therapeutic potential, there is a lack of research regarding its possible toxicological and genotoxic effects. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the chemical profile of the ethanol extract from P. carthagenensis leaves by LC-DAD-MS and assess its possible toxicity and genotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult zebrafish (N = 9/group) were exposed at different concentrations and the LC₅₀ was calculated. Frequencies of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were estimated for genotoxic effects, and degree of tissue changes (DTC) was used to assess the liver and gill histopathology. From the LC-DAD-MS analyses, the identified compounds included N-fructosyl valine, ethyl hexoside, 5-O-E-caffeoylquinic acid, N-feruloylagmatime, roseoside, di-O-deoxyhexoyl-hexosyl quercetin, loiolide, and oleamide. The calculated values of LC₅₀ did not vary significantly during the time of exposure. At the concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 mg/L, there was no genotoxicity, and only low to moderate toxicity for the tissues was observed, despite mortality of 100% at doses of 20–100 mg/L of P. carthagenensis ethanolic leaf extract. There were changes in cytoplasm of hepatocytes at 1.25 mg/L, and karyorrhexis, karyolysis and megalocytosis at 10 mg/L. In the gills, the alterations were primary lamellar hyperplasia in all concentrations, and at 10 mg/L, secondary lamellar edema and vascular hyperemia were common. Additionally, the chemical composition of P. carthagenensis was expanded.

Grapic_Abstract

Keywords:

• LC-DAD-MS analysis
• micronucleus
• nuclear abnormalities
• genotoxicity
• histopathology

Acknowledgements

G.C.Z.N. thanks CAPES for providing the doctoral scholarship, and CNPq for its researchers’ fellowships.

Authors’ contributions

R.M., C.L.G.W. and G.C.Z.N. prepared the research; R.M. and G.C.Z.N. the collection of the plant and preparation of the extract; C.L.G.W. and G.G.F. conducted the histological experiments; C.L.G.W. conducted the imaging experiments; C.L.G.W. and A.L.M.V were responsible for the statistical analyses and data interpretation of biological research; D.B.S, K.S.F. and M.A.N.S. conducted the chemical analyses of the extract and the interpretation of the data. Everyone contributed to writing and reviewing of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

All data analyzed and generated during this study are included in this pushed article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.