Genotoxicity test of Maytenus rigida and Aristolochia birostris in the radicular meristem of the onion, Allium cepa

Abstract

Abstract:Medicinal plants are an important source of treatment for many ailments, although little is known of the potential genotoxic effects of most species. In the present study, two species from diverse and medicinally important genera -Maytenus rigida Mart., Celastraceae, and Aristolochia birostris Ducht, Aristolochiaceae -were analyzed to identify potentially significant secondary metabolites and the possible effects of their aqueous and alcoholic extracts on cell division in the onion root stem (genotoxicity test). The phytochemical testing revealed the presence of a number of potentially important secondary compounds in both species, including phenols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and saponins. In the genotoxicity tests, no chromosomal abnormalities of any kind were observed in either species. In the case of M. rigida, a significant increase in mitotic activity was observed at the highest concentration. No significant tendency was recorded in A. birostris, although a considerable increase in the prophase was observed at all concentrations of the alcoholic extract. The triterpenoid content of both species may be especially important from a medicinal viewpoint, although recent findings on the carcinogenic potential of Aristolochia extracts demands caution in the interpretation of the results, and the need for further research.

Maytenus ilicifolia dry extract protects normal cells, induces apoptosis and regulates Bcl-2 in human cancer cells

“…3 In particular, extracts of plants of the family Celastraceae are used as insecticides in traditional agriculture, as well as for the treatment of stomach problems, fever, rheumatism, arthritis, and cancer. 4 Maytenus is the largest genus of this family, 5 and the species, Maytenus ilicifolia , is referred to as Espinheira Santa in Brazilian herbal medicine. Espinheira Santa is well-known for its ability to alleviate stomach pain and nausea, as well as for its treatment of ulcers, gastritis, 6,7 and inflammation.…”

Bioensaio Citogenético Para a Caracterização Da Mutagenicidade E Citotoxicidade Da Espécie Choclhospermum Regium

“…Em uma avaliação de citotoxicidade do extrato de Aristolochia elegans, utilizando o sistema de A. cepa, notou-se uma maior presença de prófase em relação as outras fases do ciclo celular, assim como em nosso estudo, também foi observado no estudo de A. elegans uma redução no índice mitótico e no crescimento radicular da cebola com o aumento da concentração do extrato (de PAULA et al, 2015). Em outro estudo que avaliou o efeito dos extratos de A. elegans na divisão celular, foi observado que ocorreu um aumento considerável de prófase em todas as concentrações do extrato em células de Allium cepa (MENDES et al, 2012). Foi realizado bioensaios em três diferentes espécies de boldos que foram conduzidos em germinador a 25°C, com extrato aquoso obtido por infusão de folhas frescas na concentração de 30g/L e água destilada como controle.…”

An evidence based efficacy and safety assessment of the ethnobiologicals against poisonous and non-poisonous bites used by the tribals of three westernmost districts of West Bengal, India: Anti-phospholipase A2 and genotoxic effects

“…Therefore, oral administration of such extracts are discouraged also keeping in mind the worldwide occurrence of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) due to the consumption of Aristolochia preparations in traditional medicine and in health supplements [ 71 ]. Earlier, Allium cepa root tip meristems were used to assess the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of Aristolochia birostris water and alcoholic extracts [ 72 ]. Hemidesmus indicus root extract was evaluated in cultured lymphocytes for its genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects [ 73 ].…”