Licochalcone A, a licorice flavonoid: antioxidant, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and chemopreventive potential.

Abstract

Licochalcone A (LicoA) is a flavonoid derived from Glycyrrhiza spp. plants. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and chemopreventive effects of LicoA in in vitro and in vivo systems. The results showed that LicoA (197.1 μM) scavenged 77.92% of free radicals. Concentrations of 147.75 µM or higher LicoA produced cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts. LicoA treatments of 4.43 to 10.34 µM did not exert genotoxic activity, but at 11.8 µM significantly lowered nuclear division indexes, compared to negative control, revealing cytotoxicity. Lower concentrations (1.85 to 7.39 µM) exhibited protective activity against chromosomal damage induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in CHO cells. LicoA exerted no marked influence on DXR-induced genotoxicity in mouse erythrocytes, but reduced pre-neoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in rat colon at 3.12 to 50 mg/kg b.w. Biochemical markers and body weight indicated no apparent toxicity. These findings contribute to better understanding the mechanisms underlying LicoA-initiated activity as a promising chemopreventive compound.

ABBREVIATIONS:

AC, aberrant crypts; ACF, aberrant crypt foci; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BOD, biochemical oxygen demand; CHO, Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast; DMH, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; DXR, doxorubicin hydrochloride; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; GA, gallic acid; LicoA, licochalcone A; MMS, methyl methanesulfonate; MNBC, micronucleated binucleated cells; MNPCE, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte; NCE, normochromatic erythrocyte; NDI, nuclear division index; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PCE, polychromatic erythrocyte; XTT, 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide.

• Authors: Karoline Soares de Freitas, Iara Silva Squarisi, Nathália Oliveira Acésio, Heloiza Diniz Nicolella, Saulo Duarte Ozelin, Matheus Reis Santos de Melo, Ana Paula Prado Guissone, Gabriela Fernandes, Lívia Mara Silva, Ademar Alves da Silva Filho, Denise Crispim Tavares
• Journal: Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A (J Toxicol Environ Health A) Vol. 83 Issue 21-22 Pg. 673-686 (11 16 2020) ISSN: 1528-7394 [Print] England
• PMID: 32886024 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Chalcones
• Cytotoxins
• Mutagens
• Protective Agents
• licochalcone A

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Chalcones (pharmacology)
• Cytotoxins (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mutagens (pharmacology)
• Protective Agents (pharmacology)