Hortaliças como bioindicadoras do efeito da toxicidade de fármacos anti-inflamatórios

Abstract

The significant increase in the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs has intensified concerns regarding their presence in the environment and the potential ecotoxicological effects associated with them. This study aimed to evaluate the acute phytotoxic effect of anti-inflammatory drugs through bioassays using lettuce and cabbage seeds. Initially, a bibliographic survey was conducted in scientific databases in order to identify gaps related to the use of vegetables in ecotoxicological assays involving these compounds. In the experimental stage, germination bioassays were carried out under controlled conditions, with seed exposure to concentrations of 50, 100, 125, and 150 mg/L, in addition to a control with distilled water, under incubation for one hundred and twenty hours. Germination and the initial development of seedlings were evaluated, with determination of the Germination Index (GI) for classification of the phytotoxic effect. The results of the bibliographic survey revealed a concentration of studies on certain plant species, especially lettuce, and the absence of investigations using cabbage seeds, indicating a relevant scientific gap. The results of the phytotoxicity tests showed that the drugs presented distinct effects between the species, with diclofenac sodium being the compound with the highest phytotoxic potential for both seeds, promoting greater inhibition of initial growth, presenting GI values of 26.90% (100 mg/L) for lettuce and 24.44% (150 mg/L) for cabbage. Ibuprofen showed variable toxicity; at lower concentrations it showed less toxic effects, being non-phytotoxic at the concentration of 100 mg/L (GI: 99.61%) for lettuce and moderately phytotoxic at the concentration of 100 mg/L (GI: 76.52%) for cabbage, while paracetamol presented a comparatively lower impact. It is concluded that the evaluated vegetables demonstrated sensitivity to the presence of the tested anti-inflammatory drugs, reinforcing the importance of ecotoxicological studies and environmental monitoring strategies for pharmaceutical residues.