Genotoxic evaluation, secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of leaves and roots of Urera baccifera Gaudich (Urticaceae)

In addition to phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, alkaloids and condensed tannins, our tests identified the antioxidant and genotoxic properties in the crude extract (CE) and fractions of Urera baccifera (Urticaceae) roots and leaves. Oxalic acid (OA) content was determined by HPLC-DAD, which presented high values in the roots (1.82 ± 0.21, 1.79 ± 0.22 and 1.38 ± 0.15 mg/g in butanolic, CE and ethyl acetate fraction, respectively). OA caused a 30.7% reduction in the leucocyte proliferation, followed by butanolic fractions of roots (24.15%) and leaves (23.28%). The mitotic index was lower in butanolic fractions of leaves (8.7%) and roots (8.3%), similar to the OA index, which was 6.0%. The DNA damage index in cultured leukocytes was observed for OA (19.33) and butanol fraction treatments (22.67 and 16, respectively, for leaves and roots). Antioxidant capacity (DPPH and TBARS) was moderated, which was confirmed by the low phenolic, flavonol and flavonoid contents in both parts of the plant.