Evaluating cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of oil extracted from visceral fat of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast in vitro

In previous studies, the oil extracted from the visceral fat of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) demonstrated a wound-healing effect on the skin of Wistar rats. To enhance knowledge our about the mechanism underlying this effect, we analysed the oil’s toxicological potential in vitro. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, pro-oxidant, and antioxidant activities were evaluated in a V79-4 cell line. The oil was obtained using the Soxhlet method, and the proportions of the fatty acid profile was previously identified 43.74 % saturated and 34.65 % unsaturated fatty acids. Protocol 487 of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was employed for cell line selection and concentrations. Cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT assay and clonogenic survival. Pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities were analysed using flow cytometry. Genotoxicity was evaluated using comet and micronucleus assays. The oil did not demonstrate cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 500 µg/mL. At concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL, the oil exerted a protective effect against oxidative stress and showed genotoxic effects only at the highest concentration (2000 µg/mL). Like other oils of interest for human health, the oil extracted from the visceral fat of C. yacare demonstrated low toxicological potential in vitro.