Herbal Mixture (Adimenu) Toxicological Evaluations Using the Allium cepa L Assay

Abstract

Adimenu is a local herbal mixture made from extracts of selected plants for medicinal purpose. Users of the herb become dizzy after use; there are cases of sudden collapse and hospitalization; headaches, and stomach disorder have been reported. The current study investigates toxicity evaluation of Adimenu using Allium cepa L. chromosomal assay. The herbal mixture was made into different concentrations- 1 to 100%, while distilled water served as the control. Allium cepa bulbs of average sizes were placed on equal volumes of the varying concentrations in beakers prepared for rooting. The following parameters were evaluated- number of roots, length of roots, root Growth Inhibition (%), mitotic Index and cytogenetic analysis. For the cytogenetic study the roots from each bulb were plucked and fixed for 24 hours, then hydrolyzed in 1N HCl at 60OC for 1minute. The root tip was excised using scalpel and placed in orcein stain on glass slide, it was squashed and then covered with cover slip and pressed; the cells were scored under a light microscope for chromosomal aberrations. Results revealed the first experimental set-up, which involved 20 to 100% concentration of Adimenu had no root emergence. The repeated experiment using lower concentrations showed root outgrowths with 2.0 to 8.0%; the length of roots was inversely proportional to the herbal mixture concentrations. The root growth inhibition (RGI) revealed the higher the concentrations, the higher the % inhibition on root outgrowth and the lengths. The mitotic index (MI) reduces as the herbal concentrations increase. The cytogenetic analysis showed two main mitotic defects, namely: (i) Anaphase chromosome bridge and (ii) Cytokinesis defects. The herbal mixture, Adimenu, induced degeneration of the protein regulator of cytokinesis (PRC) which is vital for cytokinesis and normal cell cleavage and thereby caused defects in cytokinesis. The cytokinesis defect is responsible for initiating and promoting chromosomal .......