In vitro antimitotic activity of gall extract of Pistacia terebinthus

Abstract

Pistacia terebinthus L. -turpentine tree -is a perennial flowering plant in the Mediterranean region, some aphids species induce the formation of galls in Pistacia terebinthus formerly called Carobs of Judea whose tannin content equals 60%, used in traditional medicine as a stimulant, diuretic, astringent for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory and urological affections. In the present study, the antimitotic activity of Pistacia terebinthus galls was evaluated using meristematic cells of Allium cepa roots assay our results reveal that the methanolic extract decreased the root length and dividing cell number significantly after 96 h and compared to control (p< 0.05) the mitotic index of extract at the concentration 4 mg/ml was 31% and has significant activity near to the standard methotrexate. Overall, the methanol extract of P. terebinthus galls revealed the presence of the phytochemical's compounds such as gallic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, which affect plant mitosis and can be used as an antimitotic drug.