Evaluation of the allelopathic, genotoxic, and antiproliferative effect of the medicinal speciesPsychotria brachypodaandPsychotria birotula(Rubiaceae) on the germination and cell division ofEruca sativa(Brassicaceae)

Abstract

Biological assays are widely used to monitor toxic and allelopathic substances. The present study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic, genotoxic, and antiproliferative potential of aqueous extracts of Psychotria brachypoda (Müll. Arg.) Britton and Psychotria birotula Smith & Downs in two concentrations on the germination and cell division of Eruca sativa Hill. seeds. The biological assay was conducted in a controlled growth chamber. For monitoring the allelopathic effect, the following variables were evaluated: total number of germinated seeds, seedling root length, germination velocity index, and germination percentage. The means were compared using the Tukey test and orthogonal contrasts were undertaken to better compare the variables. To evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic effects, seedling roots were collected and the squashing technique was followed for preparation of slides. The results of the present study demonstrated that the medicinal species Psychotria brachypoda and Psychotria birotula inhibited root growth, germination velocity index, and germination percentage in seeds of arugula, in addition to inhibiting cell division and inducing chromosomal alterations in Eruca sativa. We conclude that the studied species have alellopathic, genotoxic, and antiproliferative effects on Eruca sativa in both concentrations studied.

Genotoxic and anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous extracts ofSpondias mombinL.,Nymphea lotusL. andLuffa cylindricaL. onAllium ceparoot tip cells

“…Our data showed that all the extracts caused a decline in root growth and mitotic index (MI); and is similar to previous studies wherein extracts of different medicinal plants caused decreased mitotic cell division in A. cepa root tips (Akinboro and Bakare 2007;Oyedare et al 2009;Sultan and Celik 2009;Pastori et al 2013), Eruca sativa (Frescura et al 2013) and in mice (Nabeel et al 2008). The decline in MI shows interference in the cell cycle.…”

Allelopathic Effects of Adonis vernalis L.: Root Growth Inhibition and Cytogenetic Alterations

“…The elongation of the roots depends on different physiological processes, including cell division [28]. Analysis of mitotic index is one of approaches used to study plant allelopathic effects [19].…”

“…Recently Allium cepa-test has been used in studies on toxicity of plant extracts [23]- [27]. Changes in mitotic activity and disturbances in different phases of mitotic division are accepted as indicators of cytotoxic influence [28]. The presence of mitotic abnormalities and induction of micronuclei in interphase cells indicate genotoxic effect [22].…”

Cytogenetic effects of chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles in theAllium cepatest

“…Plant bioassays are important tests in the detection of genotoxic and toxic agents and contamination in the environment (Adamakis et al 2013;Dixit et al 2013;Frescura et al 2013). Allium cepa L. has been used to evaluate DNA damage, such as chromosome aberrations, micronuclei and disturbances in the mitotic cycle (Bakare et al 2012;Frescura et al 2012;Olorunfemi et al 2012;Achary et al 2013).…”