Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Senecio vulgaris L. Extracts: An In Vitro Assessment in HepG2 Liver Cells

Mattia Acito, Carla Russo, Cristina Fatigoni, Federica Mercanti, Massimo Moretti () and Milena Villarini ()
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Mattia Acito: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unit of Public Health, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
Carla Russo: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unit of Public Health, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
Cristina Fatigoni: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unit of Public Health, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
Federica Mercanti: Sana Pianta Soc. Agricola S.a.s., Strada Tiberina Nord 228, 06134 Perugia, Italy
Massimo Moretti: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unit of Public Health, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
Milena Villarini: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unit of Public Health, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-9

Abstract: Senecio vulgaris L. is a herbaceous species found worldwide. The demonstrated occurrence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in this species and its ability to invade a great variety of habitats result in a serious risk of contamination of plant material batches addressed to the herbal teas market; this presents a potential health risk for consumers. In light of the above, this work aimed to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic activity of S. vulgaris extracts in HepG2 cells. Dried plants were ground and extracted using two different methods, namely an organic solvent-based procedure (using methanol and chloroform), and an environmentally friendly extraction procedure (i.e., aqueous extraction), which mimicked the domestic preparation of herbal teas (5, 15, and 30 min of infusion). Extracts were then tested in HepG2 cells for their cytotoxic and genotoxic potentialities. Results were almost superimposable in both extracts, showing a slight loss in cell viability at the highest concentration tested, and a marked dose-dependent genotoxicity exerted by non-cytotoxic concentrations. It was found that the genotoxic effect is even more pronounced in aqueous extracts, which induced primary DNA damage after five minutes of infusion even at the lowest concentration tested. Given the broad intake of herbal infusions worldwide, this experimental approach might be proposed as a screening tool in the analysis of plant material lots addressed to the herbal infusion market.

Keywords: Senecio vulgaris; herbal teas; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; genotoxicity; comet assay; safety assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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