Modulation of Mutagen-Induced Genotoxicity by two Lesotho Medicinal Plants in Allium cepa L

Asita O Asita,David H Heisi,Tumelo Tjale

doi:10.5539/enrr.v5n3p37

Asita O Asita, David H Heisi + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v5n3p37

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Abstract

Methanolic extracts (mg mL-1) of Dicoma anomala (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25), Chenopodium album (0.078, 0.156, 0.313), used in traditional medicine in Lesotho, and Camellia sinensis (0.1094, 0.2085, 0.44) were assessed for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and modulation of Cyclophosphamide (CP 1.25 mg mL-1) - and EMS (0.25 mg mL-1)-induced genotoxicity using the Allium cepa assay following 24 hours treatment. Cytotoxicity was measured by the mitotic index (MI). Genotoxicity (GT) was expressed as the number of aberrant mitotic cells per 100 mitotic cells. The MI and GT of test groups (triplicates), were compared with the negative (water) control group using t-test. Modulatory effect (ME) was calculated as, ME(%) = (1-(A-B)/(A-C) × 100) -1. A positive ME indicated an increase (synergism or potentiation) while a negative ME indicated a reduction (anti-genotoxicity) of mutagen-induced genotoxicity. The concentrations of D. anomala extract were cytotoxic and genotoxic. Mixtures of CP or EMS with the lower concentrations of D. anomala extract were more genotoxic than CP (250.50% increase) or EMS (149.74 and 157.37 % increase) or extracts alone. Only 0.313 mg mL-1 of C. album extract was cytotoxic but none of the three concentrations was genotoxic. Mixtures of CP with extracts of C.album were cytotoxic. CP-induced genotoxicity was reduced (55.18, 68.36, 57.40 %) and EMS-induced genotoxicity was also reduced by low concentrations (50.72, 61.13 %) of C.album extract. However, 0.313 mg mL-1 C. album extract increased (236.75%) EMS-induced genotoxicity. C. sinensis extracts and their mixtures with CP were not cytotoxic or genotoxic. CP-induced genotoxicity was reduced (63.61, 66.62, 78.64 %) but EMS-induced genotoxicity was increased (124.97, 4.48, 110.52 %) by C. sinensis extract.

Highlights

Different herbs and plants have been used for millennia by different cultures and peoples in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases
The purpose of this study was to assess the methanolic extracts of Dicoma anomala, Chenopodium album and, the refence Camellia sinensis for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and modulation of the genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) and Ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) using the Allium cepa root meristem cells chromosome aberration assay system
Cytotoxicity: Examination of the mitotic index (MI) in column 9 of table 1 shows that the concentration of CP (1.25 mg mL-1) or EMS (0.25 mg mL-1) used was not toxic to the root meristem cells of A. sepa when compared to the water treated negative control (P>0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Different herbs and plants have been used for millennia by different cultures and peoples in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases It has been suggested in more recent times, that diets that have high fruit and vegetable content may help protect against cataracts, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease (Willett, 2002; Ames et al, 1993) and asthma (Woods et al, 2003). It was found in one study for instance, that people who consumed the highest amount of vegetables and fruits had a 20% lower risk of coronary heart disease and the lowest risks were observed in people who consumed more green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C (Joshipura et al, 2001). Many studies have shown that the consumption of naturally occurring compounds can modify the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of environmental contaminants (Debisri & Archana, 1996; Gimmler-Luz et al, 1999)

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