Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of neolignans isolated from Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae)

In this work was evaluated the cytotoxic activity of dehydrodieugenol B (1) and methyldehydrodieugenol B (2) isolated from Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae) through cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) and Comet assay. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed in vitro toxicity against human melanoma cells (SKMEL-147) with IC50 values of 4.4 and 43.6 μg/mL, respectively. The interaction of these compounds with resistant human melanoma cell line SKMEL-29 was also investigated. Obtained results showed a concentration-response relationship for DNA damage (DI and D%) in SKMEL-29 cells for compounds 1 and 2 causing an increase in DNA damage on their lower concentrations. Concerning the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMNCyt) assay, all treatments demonstrated an increase in cytostatic and cytotoxic indexes. In micronucleus quantification, compound 1 displayed higher index in comparison to control. Regarding necrotic and apoptotic cells, treatments with SKMEL-29 cells demonstrated 100% of cell death induced by compounds 1 and 2 at 25 and 88 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, it was observed that apoptosis is prevalent in SKMEL-147 cells treated with compound 1, while necrotic cells were observed in SKMEL-29 cells treated with both compounds. In conclusion, compounds 1 and 2 are suggested as promising cytotoxic agents against human melanoma resistant cells, emphasizing the potential use of these neolignans for the treatment of melanoma. •Neolignans 1–2 were isolated from twigs of Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae)•Neolignans 1–2 displayed toxicity against human melanoma cells SKMEL-147.•Neolignans 1–2 are suggested as promising genotoxic and cytotoxic agents against human melanoma resistant cells.