Assessment of the genotoxic and mutagenic properties of Himatanthus articulatus bark extracts used as phytotherapeutic drug in the Amazon.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Himatanthus articulatus (Apocynaceae) is a plant native to the Amazon, popularly used to treat external ulcers, tumors, inflammations, cancer, syphilis and malaria.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the in vivo genotoxic and mutagenic potential of this plant, using the comet assay and the micronucleus test.

Material And Methods: Female and male adult mice were treated with 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg or 2000 mg/kg of Himatanthus articulatus aqueous or ethanolic bark extracts by gavage for two consecutive days.

Antiproliferative effect of a traditional remedy, Himatanthus articulatus bark, on human cancer cell lines.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Himatanthus articulatus (Vahl) Woodson (Apocynaceae) is a tree occurring in the Amazon region. The local population uses its bark against to external tumors and cancer.

Aim Of The Study: Evaluated the antiproliferative activity of the crude extract and their fractions against human tumors cells.