Evaluation of the genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of leaves and stems of Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann (Bignoniaceae) using the Allium cepa test

Abstract

The province of Misiones is characterized by its great plant diversity and the use of medicinal plants is common, 80% of its boundaries are international, it borders the Republic of Paraguay to the west and the Republic of Brazil to the north and to the east, in both is also traditional the use of medicinal plants. Where in most cases they are marketed without previous toxicity studies. Dolichandra unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) a species commonly known as “cat’s claw”, used in folk medicine to treat multiple conditions. The objective of this work is to analyze the genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts obtained from infusions of leaves and stems of D. unguis-cati using the Allium cepa test. The concentrations studied inhibited the growth of the roots, decreased the mitotic index with respect to a control and did not produce relevant genotoxic effects.