Pharmacological effects and toxicity of Costus pulverulentus C. Presl (Costaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Costus pulverulentus C. Pres] (Costaceae), a species endemic to Mexico, is used for the empirical treatment of cancer, pain, and inflammation. Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, as well as the cytotoxic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects of an ethanol extract from Costus pulverulentus stem (CPE). Materials and methods: The chemical characterization of CPE was performed by Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The toxicity of CPE was evaluated using the comet assay (10-1000 mu g/ml during 5 h) and the acute toxicity test (500-5000 mg/kg p.o. and i.p. during 14 days). The cytotoxic effect of CPE (1-250 mu g/ml) on human cancer cells Was evaluated using the MTT assay. The antinociceptive effects of CPE (50-200 mg/kg p.o.) were evaluated using thermal-induced nociception tests (hot plate and tail flick) and the chemical-induced nociceptive tests (acetic acid and formalin). The sedative activity of CPE (50-200 mg/kg p.o.) was evaluated using the ketamine-induced sleeping time test. Results: CPE showed the presence of compounds such as campesterol, stigmasterol p-sitosterol, vanillic acid, among others. In the comet assay, CPE at 200 mu g/ml or higher concentrations induced DNA damage. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 estimated for CPE was > 5000 mg/kg p.o. or i.p. CEP showed moderate cytotoxic effects on prostate carcinoma cells PC-3 cells (IC50=179 +/- 23.2 mu g/ml). In the chemical-induced nociception models, CPE (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) showed antinociceptive effects with similar activity to 100 mg/kg naproxen. In the thermal-induced nociception tests, CPE tested at 200 mg/kg showed moderate antinociceptive effects by 28% (hot plate test) and by 25% (tail flick test). In the ketamine-induced sleeping time test, CPE showed no sedative effects. Conclusions: C pulverulents exerts moderate cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells, moderate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. C pulverulentus induces antinociceptive effects without inducing sedation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.