Meet the editors

Sonia Soloneski has a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences and is Assistant Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the School of Natural Sciences and Museum of La Plata, National University of La Plata, Argentina. She is a member of the National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina in the Genetic Toxicology field, the Latin American Association of Environmental Mutagenesis, Teratogenesis and Carcinogen-

esis (ALAMCTA), the Argentinean Society of Toxicology (ATA), the Argentinean Society of Biology (SAB) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). She has authored more than 380 contributions in the field, including scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and research communications. She has served as a review member for more than 30 scientific international journals. She has been a plenary speaker in scientific conferences and a member of scientific committees. She is a specialist in issues related to Genetic Toxicology, Mutagenesis, and Ecotoxicology.

Marcelo L. Larramendy, Ph.D., serves as Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the School of Natural Sciences and Museum (National University of La Plata, Argentina). Appointed Senior Researcher of the National Scientific and Technological Research Council of Argentina. Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Latin American Association of Environmental Mutagenesis, Teratogenesis and Carcinogenesis. Author of more

than 450 contributions, including scientific publications, research communications and conferences worldwide. Recipient of several national and international awards. Prof. Larramendy is a regular Lecturer at the international A. Hollaender Courses organized by the IAEMS and former guest scientist at NIH (USA) and the University of Helsinki, (Finland). He is an expert in Genetic Toxicology and is, or has been, referee for more than 20 international scientific journals. Member of the International Panel of Experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, WHO, Lyon, France) in 2015 for the evaluation of DDT, 2,4-D and Lindane. Presently, Prof. Dr. Larramendy is Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genotoxicology at the UNLP.

Contents

Introductory Chapter: Cytotoxicity

*and Carolina Uribe Cruz*

towards Cultured Cells

Cytotoxicity Study

Organism

*by Sonia Soloneski and Marcelo L. Larramendy*

Cytotoxicity as a Fundamental Response to Xenobiotics

**Preface XI**

**Chapter 1 1**

**Chapter 2 7**

**Chapter 3 27**

**Chapter 4 65**

**Chapter 5 93**

**Chapter 6 101**

*by Grethel León-Mejía, Alvaro Miranda Guevara, Ornella Fiorillo Moreno* 

Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activities of Quinones Isolated from Different

*Cuauhtemoc Pérez-González, Leonor Sánchez-Pérez and Salud Pérez-Gutiérrez*

Some Methodological Aspects in Studies of Metal Nanoparticles' Toxicity

*by Nimsi Campos-Xolalpa, Julia Pérez-Ramos, Ana Esquivel-Campos,* 

*by Elena Mikhailovna Egorova and Said Ibragimovich Kaba*

*by Harshavardhini Kuppusamy R, Jananipriya Srinivasan, Pavithra Sundaramoorthy and Kannan Kilavan Packiam*

*by Bhavin R. Chavda and Bhavesh N. Socha*

*Evolvulus alsinoides* (Linn.) Linn.: A Revitalizer

## Contents


Preface

Accurate adverse assessment by cytotoxic estimation as well as their role in different biological systems are a primary step employing for ranking the safety of many chemicals. In this regard, knowledge of relative toxicity is essential in order to determine a chemical's fate and thereby prevent or minimize after-effects. Similarly, the identification of cytotoxic responses may be essential for elucidating target cells

This book is intended to present some strategies, methods, interpretations and recent advances in order to facilitate scientific research on *in vitro* toxic responses,

Although vast literature is available on cytotoxic evaluation, this book contains important investigations into the diverse chemical hazards encountered in anthropogenic and natural environments. Moreover, it provides valuable information regarding the toxicity of several xenobiotics that can negatively affect human beings. The contributors clearly discuss several concepts and approaches that will be useful for understanding the potential action mechanisms of various compounds, namely quinones, silver nanoparticles, antibiotics and plant extracts, among others.

This book is organized into six chapters. It begins with an introductory chapter that presents an overview of different approaches recommended for the preliminary *in vitro* screening of cellular response and analyses of dead cells within a cell population. The chapter highlights the strengths and weaknesses of some cytotoxic endpoints routinely employed and shows how the selection of an appropriate cytotoxicity bioassay is decisive in order to obtain a comprehensive toxicity profile. The second chapter presents a complete study highlighting the different responses of a cell to several xenobiotic agents as well as different tests that can be useful for evaluating cellular responses. The chapter focuses on the toxicological and cytotoxic evaluation of chemical substances through *in vitro* tests, as a competitive alternative to *in vivo* experimentation as a consequence of ethical considerations. The third chapter reviews the role of quinones – an important family of natural products mainly isolated from bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and other organisms – as possible agents to prevent cancer and microbial activity. The chapter summarizes the activities of 152 anticancer and 30 antimicrobial quinones, showing that these

Despite advances in science, a huge number of untested substances remain, necessitating that priorities are established for evaluating toxic inducers prior to their approval for animal and human uses. The toxicity of many xenobiotics is well-known today and interest in understanding the action mechanisms is being continuously stimulated by their continual re-evaluation. In this way, one of the major goals of cytotoxic estimation includes the preliminary screening of potential xenobiotics to determine the toxicity and efficacy of any substance, product or environmental agent, through employing *in vitro* approaches. These types of analyses are preferred in pilot testing in fields such as health, pharmaceuticals, environment, industry, agriculture and food, in order to estimate cell growth,

reproduction and morphological effects.

presenting both theoretical and practical aspects.

and organ toxicity.
