Research on the Effect of Antioxidant Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) on Erythrocytes Exposed to the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Abstract

With the purpose of finding an alternative to mitigate the damaging effect of intoxication with 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), this research aims to determine whether Tabernaemontana catharinensis (cobrina) increases the antioxidant capacity and/or lowers the oxidative effects generated by the exposure to this herbicide. For the above purpose, blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers. The erythrocytes were separated, exposed to the 2,4-D and treated with different concentrations of infusions of cobrina. Tests were conducted in a water bath at 37 °C for one hour. After the analytical determinations, it was verified that, with the duration of this test, the cobrina -even containing flavonoids in its composition- increased the oxidative damages in the proteins and lipids of the erythrocytes tested.