Evaluation of the Safety of Three Phenolic Compounds from <i>Dipteryx alata</i> Vogel with Antiophidian Potential

Phenolic compounds from Dipteryx alata Vogel were assayed against the in vitro neurotoxic effect induced by Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu) venom. Mutagenicity was assessed by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100, and TA102, in experiments with and without metabolic activation. Anti-bothropic activity was obtained by using mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparation and myographic technique. Control experiments with physiological Tyrode solution were used for keeping the PND preparations alive (n = 4). Concentrations of phe-nolic compounds were as follow: protocatechuic and vanillic acids (200 μg/mL, n = 4), vanillin (50 μg/mL, n = 4). These compounds were used alone or pre-incubated with the venom (40 μg/mL), 30 min prior the addition to the organ bath (n = 4). Phenolic compounds significantly inhibited the neuromuscular blockade of Bjssu in the following order of potency: vanillic acid > protocatechuic = vanillin. Vanillic acid added 10 min after the Bjssu venom was also able to avoid the venomblockade evolution. The mutagenicity assay indicated that all phytochemicals were unable to in-crease the number of revertants, demonstrating the absence of mutagenic activity. This study demonstrated both the safety and therapeutical potential of the three phenolic compounds as novel complementary anti-bothropic agents.