D.C. Hydroalcoholic Extract Promotes Anti-Cytotoxic and Antitumor Activity.

D.C. (mandacaru) is a cactus used as food and in the traditional medicine. In the present study, hydroalcoholic extract of was evaluated for its chemical composition, antioxidant activity, cytotoxic and anti-cytotoxic effects in human lymphocytes and sarcoma 180 cells by MTT assay and antitumoral, mutagenic and cytotoxic effects on mice sarcoma-induced . Phytochemical characterization showed positive reactions for coumarin, flavanol and tyramine and total flavonoid content of 0.51 µg/mL. showed antioxidant activity following DPPH (EC = 427.74 µg/mL), ABTS (EC = 270.57 µg/mL) and Fe chelating ions assays (EC = 41.18 µg/mL). induced significant decrease of sarcoma 180 viability at 24 h and 48 h of treatment, did not induce cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes and inhibits the cytotoxicity of cisplatin . Following assays, promoted tumor reduction (86.07% of tumor inhibition), without inducing mutagenic or cytotoxic damage on mice blood cells. We propose that phenolic and alkaloid compounds in the extract are related to antioxidant activity, increasing its ability in metal chelating activity and promoting anti-cytotoxic activity against cisplatin, as well as these compounds may act on the cell cycle of the tumor cells and , leading to anticancer effects and tumor reduction.