Genotoxicity assessment of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) has been used in the Brazilian folk medicine to treat several illnesses. However, the phytochemical profile of S. brasiliensis as well as its genotoxic potential are poorly understood, which compromises population safety regarding the medicinal use of this plant species. In this study, we analyzed the genotoxic effects of S. brasiliensis using the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) of Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae from both standard cross (ST) and high bioactivation capacity cross (HB) were exposed to different concentrations of the hydroetanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of S. brasiliensis. We analyzed wings from D. melanogaster according to the type and number of mutant hair. Ours results suggested no genotoxic activity of S. brasiliensis in D. melanogaster somatic cells.