Viabilidade celular do extrato hidrofílico de momordica charantia

Abstract

Since ancient times the use of natural products with therapeutic properties is quite common and for a long time these products were the main sources of medicines. Momordica charantia (MC), popularly known as Melon de São Caetano belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae is a climbing plant of great importance due to its usefulness in the manufacture of food and mainly as a herbal treatment for various types of diseases. Its wide varieties of applications demonstrate antidiabetic, microbicidal, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antiviral, immunomodulatory and antitumoral potential. Thus the objective of this work was to evaluate the cellular viability of the extract in mononucleated cells of human peripheral blood. In the preparation of the extract, all the parts of the plant were used together with distilled water, obtaining a concentration at 20% and then the dilutions 20, 2 and 0.2 mg.mL-1 were made. Samples were plated on ELISA plates together with Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and incubated for 24 hours. After this period, the flow cytometer (FACSCalibur) was read to observe the viability of the cells. Data were analyzed in the BioEstat software, through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison test (TUKEY). The results showed that hydrophilic extract of MC presented low or no cytotoxicity at concentrations of 20 mg.mL-1, 2 mg.mL-1 and 0.2 mg.mL-1 to PMBCs, already in the concentration of 200 mg.mL-1 achieved a slight reduction in viability. However none of the concentrations presented statistically different cellular viability compared to the Negative Control. In sum, all concentrations tested can be safely used in therapy.