Mutational spectra induced by flavonoid extracts from pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi) stem bark.

Flavonoids are a diverse family of plant compounds that are involved in pigmentation, protection, and endogenous regulation. Flavonoids also have medicinal applications, suggesting that they may exert chemoprotective effects. However, some studies have shown, that some plant flavonoids have oxidative and toxic effects, including those produced by Schinus terebinthifolius.

Base excision repair pathway is involved in the repair of lesions generated by flavonoid-enriched fractions of pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi) stem bark.

Cell-free and bacterial assays indicate that flavonoid-enriched fractions and the flavonoids of pepper tree stem bark from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi have genotoxic rather than antigenotoxic properties. In the present report, we have examined the ability of flavonoid-enriched fractions to damage plasmid DNA and the repair pathways involved in the recognition of these DNA lesions. High concentrations of two flavonoid-enriched fractions were able to break phosphodiester bonds in DNA.

Evaluation of mutagenic activity in an extract of pepper tree stem bark (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi).

An extract (decoction) from pepper tree stem bark (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) is widely used in Brazil as a topical antiinflammatory agent and to cicatrize wounds. The extract contains catechin, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, and saponins; of these components, both mutagenic potential and antioxidant properties have been ascribed to flavonoids. The mutagenicity of some flavonoids is believed to be associated with the formation of reactive oxygen species and seems to depend on the number and position of hydroxyl groups.