Study of Acute Genotoxic Potential of an Aqueous Extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi: an in vivo Micronucleus Assay

The in vivo Micronucleus Assay is a genotoxicity assessment system used for testing chemicals and herbal medicines that can induce chromosomal damage, acting as a biomarker. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) is an evergreen tree that occurs on the Brazilian coast and several papers have shown the use of this plant in therapeutic approaches. The aim of this study is to analyze the genotoxic potential of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi extract in Wistar rats bone marrow through the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes. The results indicate that there was no genotoxic effects in all tested concentration, showing only an increase in the ratio of polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes.