Effect of Extract of the Qualea Grandiflora on Cell Viability

Objectives: Phytotherapy, the study of the use of plants and its products on disease treatment and healing processes, it’s an age-old practice. However, studies involving some species have only been featured in recent years. The Qualea grandiflora Mart. species from Vochysiaceae family has been recognized for its medicinal effects, showing, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. This plant (Qualea grandiflora), found in the Brazilian cerrado, is considered the symbol of this region and is used by locals as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, but details about the specific activities and mechanisms in different cells still are unclear. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of extract of the leaves of Qualea grandiflora in viability of the fibroblasts (NIH3T3) and preosteoblasts (MC3T3).
Methods: Cells were plated 3x10³ cells/well in 96 well plates. After incubation for 24 hours, the medium was replaced with DMEM (to NIH3T3) and alpha-MEM (to MC3T3) supplemented by 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extract of Qualea grandiflora (1000, 100, 10, 1 and 0.1µg/ml). Control group did not receive extract. After 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of the exposition (different concentrations of the extract), cell viability was measured by reduction of MTT ((bromide method of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and crystal violet incorporation.
Results: In general, groups treated with the highest concentrations of the extract (1000 and 100µg/ml) showed reduction in cell viability (p<0.05) while the other groups (10, 1 and 0.1µg/ml) were very close to the positive control. Viability of the preosteoblasts was modulated (negatively) with intermediate concentration of the extract (10µg/ml) while in fibroblasts there was not viability reduction.
Conclusions: The extract of the leaves of Qualea grandiflora can modulate viability of the fibroblasts and preosteoblasts.