Avaliação da citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade do composto (E)-4(4-hidroxi-3-metoxifenil)but-3-en-2-ona através do bioensaio em Allium cepa

Abstract

Curcumin, the main bioactive compound of Curcuma longa, has been extensively studied due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which are attributed to its chemical structure consisting of two aromatic rings connected by a conjugated chain, favoring electron delocalization and resonance stability. Based on this structure, several synthetic derivatives have been developed, including the monoarylated compound (E)-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one (dehydrozingerone). Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the curcumin analog dehydrozingerone (DZG), which was synthesized in the laboratory, using the Allium cepa bioassay, an organism widely employed as a toxicity indicator due to the high sensitivity of its meristematic cells. Bulbs were exposed to the compound at concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/L, and parameters related to cell division and chromosomal damage were evaluated. The results demonstrated that, at the concentrations tested, the studied compound did not cause a significant reduction in the mitotic index or an increase in chromosomal abnormalities, indicating the absence of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects under the experimental conditions. This study contributes to the development of new compounds with antioxidant potential, expanding the range of low-toxicity substances with promising applications in the pharmaceutical industry.