Bulbs Allium Research Articles

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Nerium oleander L. extracts associated with toxicity profile

In this study, phytochemical analysis and toxicity profile of leaf and flower extracts of Nerium oleander L. species collected from Giresun province (Turkey) were investigated. In phytochemical analyzes, the cardiac glycoside, alkaloid, saponin and tannin contents of the extracts were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The physiological effects of extracts were determined by examining root elongation, weight gain and germination rates. Biochemical effects were determined by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), which are indicators of oxidative stress. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were investigated by mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal abnormality (CA) tests. N. oleander leaf and flower extract applications caused significant decreases in the physiological parameters of Allium bulbs. SOD and CAT activity in root tip cells increased significantly after the application of leaf extract compared to the control group. Similar changes were observed in the application of flower extract, but these increases were found to be at a lower level compared to the increases induced by the leaf extract. An increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH levels were observed in groups treated with leaf and flower extracts. These changes show that the extracts cause deterioration in antioxidant/oxidant balance. It was determined that the extracts, which caused a decrease in MI rates and an increase in MN and CAs frequencies, showed the most prominent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at 250 μg/mL doses. These toxic effects were associated with the phytochemical content of the extracts, and it was thought that cardiac glycosides and alkaloids, whose presence were detected in qualitative and quantitative analyzes, may play an important role in toxicity. Studies investigating the therapeutic properties of plants as well as their toxic effects are insufficient, which leads to the fact that plants exhibiting potential toxicity are not well known. Therefore, this study will lead many studies on the toxicity profile of the phytochemical contents of plants. Therefore, this study will draw attention to the investigation of the toxicity profile and phytochemical contents of plants and will lead to similar studies.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) tends to reduce the toxic effects of nickel (II) chloride in Allium cepa L. roots

The immense protection potential of plant-derived products against heavy metal toxicity has become a considerable field of research. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the mitigative ability of turmeric against nickel (II) chloride (NiCl2)-related toxicity in the roots of Allium cepa L. For this purpose, one control (treated with tap water) and five treatment groups (treated with 440mg/L turmeric, 880mg/L turmeric, 1mg/L NiCI2, 1mg/L NiCI2 + 440mg/L turmeric, and 1mg/L NiCI2 + 880mg/L turmeric, respectively) of Allium bulbs were established. Experimental conditions were maintained at room temperature for 3days. Physiological, biochemical, cytogenetic, and meristematic integrity parameters were analyzed in all groups. NiCl2 reduced germination percentage, root elongation, and weight gain. Following NiCl2 application, the frequency of aberrant chromosomes and micronuclei increased, while mitotic index decreased. NiCl2 caused an increase in oxidative stress, which was evident by increased malondialdehyde level and catalytic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Epidermal and cortex cell injuries as well as deformed cell nuclei and indistinct transmission tissue were observed as a result of NiCl2 treatment. When applied alone, turmeric, which did not cause any negative effects, led to an improvement in all parameters depending on the dose when applied together with NiCl2. Data from the study suggests that turmeric has remarkable protection potential against NiCl2 in Allium cepa.

Comparative investigation of toxicity induced by UV-A and UV-C radiation using Allium test.

Organisms are increasingly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight, due to the thinning of the ozone layer and its widespread use in sterilization processes, especially against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the damages of UV-A and UV-C radiations in Allium cepa L. roots. The effects of two different types of UV on some physiological, biochemical, cytogenotoxic, and anatomical parameters were investigated in a multifaceted study. Three groups were formed from Allium bulbs, one of which was the control group. One of the other groups was exposed to 254 nm (UV-C) and the other to 365 nm (UV-A) UV. Growth retardation effect of UV was investigated with respect to germination percentage, total weight gain, and root elongation, while cytogenotoxicity arisen from UV exposure was analyzed using mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) frequency. Oxidative stress due to UV application was investigated based on the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the total activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. Also, anatomical changes induced by UV-A and UV-C were analyzed in root meristematic cells. UV treatments caused significant reductions in growth-related parameters. Both UV treatments caused a significant increase in MDA levels and induction of SOD and CAT enzymes in root meristematic cells. A decrease in MI and an increase in the frequency of MN and CAs were observed in root tip cells, indicating the cytogenotoxic effect of UV application. Anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, necrotic zones, giant cell nucleus, and indistinct transmission tissue occurred in cells exposed to UV. All of the physiological, biochemical, cytogenetic, and anatomical damages observed in this study were more severe in cells treated with UV-C compared to UV-A. This study suggested that UV exposure triggered growth inhibition, cytogenotoxicity, oxidative stress, and meristematic cell damages in A. cepa roots depending on the wavelength.

Extenuating role of lycopene against 254-nm UV-C radiation-mediated damages in Allium cepa L. roots.

UV-C exposure has become a crucial risk for living organisms due to its widespread use in sterilization. In this study, the mitigating potential of lycopene was investigated against UV-C-mediated toxicity in Allium cepa L. roots. Allium bulbs were separated into six groups which treated with tap water, 215 mg/L lycopene, 430 mg/L lycopene, 254-nm UV radiation, 215 mg/L lycopene + 254-nm UV radiation, and 430 mg/L lycopene + 254-nm UV radiation. Germination percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic index, micronucleus frequency, and other chromosomal aberrations as well as meristematic cell damages were investigated in all groups. Malondialdehyde level and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes were also analyzed to understand the severity of oxidative stress. UV-C radiation was revealed to negatively affect all parameters investigated, while the mitigating activities of lycopene against UV-C-mediated toxicity were dose-dependent. Therefore, the study evidently demonstrated the promising potential of lycopene in the protection against the detrimental effects of UV-C exposure in A. cepa.

Cyto-genotoxic effects of Pinoxaden on Allium cepa L. roots.

Pinoxaden is the one of the acetyl-CoA carboxylases (ACCase) inhibiting herbicides and used for controlling grass weeds. In this study, cyto-genotoxic effects of Pinoxaden on the Allium cepa roots were investigated using Allium ana-telophase and comet assays by determining the root growth, mitotic index (MI), mitotic phases, chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and DNA damage. Different concentrations of Pinoxaden from 0.5 to 100mg/L were employed on root tips for 96h to find the effective concentration that reduces root tip elongation by 50% in comparison with negative control (EC50). Pinoxaden concentrations of 1.25mg/L (1/2xEC50), 2.5mg/L (EC50) and 5mg/L (2xEC50); methyl methane sulphonate (MMS, 10mg/L) for positive control and distilled water for negative control were exposed to Allium bulbs for several time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 96h). Pinoxaden showed cytotoxic effects by decreasing the root growth and MI. Pinoxaden induced CAs including disturbed ana-telophase, anaphase bridges, chromosome laggards, stickiness, polyploidy, micronucleus at 5mg/L, c-metaphase and binuclear cells and also DNA damage compared with control group. The current study confirmed cyto-genotoxic effects of Pinoxaden. Further research is needed to clarify the cyto-genotoxic mechanisms of Pinoxaden at molecular level.

Predicting the current potential and future world wide distribution of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua using maximum entropy ecological niche modeling.

Climate change will markedly impact biology, population ecology, and spatial distribution patterns of insect pests because of the influence of future greenhouse effects on insect development and population dynamics. Onion maggot, Delia antiqua, larvae are subterranean pests with limited mobility, that directly feed on bulbs of Allium sp. and render them completely unmarketable. Modeling the spatial distribution of such a widespread and damaging pest is crucial not only to identify current potentially suitable climactic areas but also to predict where the pest is likely to spread in the future so that appropriate monitoring and management programs can be developed. In this study, Maximum Entropy Niche Modeling was used to estimate the current potential distribution of D. antiqua and to predict the future distribution of this species in 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2080 by using emission scenario (A2) with 7 climate variables. The results of this study show that currently highly suitable habitats for D.antiqua occur throughout most of East Asia, some regions of North America, Western Europe, and Western Asian countries near the Caspian sea and Black Sea. In the future, we predict an even broader distribution of this pest spread more extensively throughout Asia, North America and Europe, particularly in most of European countries, Central regions of United States and much of East Asia. Our present day and future predictions can enhance strategic planning of agricultural organizations by identifying regions that will need to develop Integrated Pest Management programs to manage the onion maggot. The distribution forecasts will also help governments to optimize economic investments in management programs for this pest by identifying regions that are or will become less suitable for current and future infestations.

Exposure of Allium cepa Root Cells to Zidovudine or Nevirapine Induces Cytogenotoxic Changes

Antiretroviral drugs have proved useful in the clinical management of HIV-infected persons, though there are concerns about the effects of exposure to these DNA-reactive drugs. We investigated the potential of the plant model Allium cepa root tip assay to demonstrate the cytogenotoxicity of zidovudine and nevirapine and as a replace-reduce-refine programme amenable to resource–poor research settings. Cells mitotic index were determined in squashed root cells from Allium cepa bulbs exposed to zidovudine or nevirapine for 48 hr. The concentration of zidovudine and nevirapine inhibiting 50% root growth after 96 hr exposure was 65.0 µM and 92.5 µM respectively. Root length of all antiretroviral-exposed roots after 96 hr exposure was significantly shorter than the unexposed roots while additional root growth during a subsequent 48 hr recovery period in the absence of drug was not significantly different. By ANOVA, there was a significant association between percentage of cells in mitosis and zidovudine dose (p = 0.004), but not nevirapine dose (p = 0.68). Chromosomal aberrations such as sticky chromosomes, chromatin bridges, multipolar mitoses and binucleated cells were observed in root cells exposed to zidovudine and nevirapine for 48 hr. The most notable chromosomal aberration was drug-related increases in sticky chromosomes. Overall, the study showed inhibition in root length growth, changes in the mitotic index, and the induction of chromosomal aberrations in Allium bulbs treated for 96 hr or 48 hr with zidovudine and nevirapine. The study reveals generalized cytogenotoxic damage induced by exposure to zidovudine and nevirapine, and further show that the two compounds differ in their effects on mitosis and the types of chromosomal aberrations induced.

Genotoxicity assessment of soil contamination: a case study from Farakka coal-fired power plant in eastern India

The study deals with the genotoxicity of soil samples collected from locations near a thermal power plant in the eastern parts of India. The metal content in the soil samples collected near the thermal power plant, fly ash pond and ash dumping sites were higher than the control sample. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, bulk density, water holding capacity and soil texture did not show much difference between the reference soil and the contaminated soils. Comet assay was carried in pot experiments utilizing Allium bulbs. The results of DNA damage as a reference to the genotoxicity of the soil were positive and could be correlated to the presence of the toxic metal content. The damage was high in the sites located near the ash pond and the ash dumping sites. The root growth was also inhibited in the fly ash contaminated soils. The bioassay data in combination with the physico-chemical analyses will be useful in the management and disposal practices of fly ash and can be undertaken to minimize the adverse impact on agricultural land.

Can Species of Fritillaria and Allium Serve as Guideposts to Human Migration?

Worldwide, the genus Fritillaria grows only between latitudes 32° and 62°N. It appears to have originated in eastern Asia, and migrated through China, Japan, the Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka, to the Pacific Northwest, thence inland to Nebraska and south to San Diego. One species, F. camschatcensis, ranges from extreme southeastern Russia to Oregon. In Eurasia Fritillaria localities are typically along the multiple routes of the ancient “Silk Road.” We propose that the parallels between the modern ranges of Fritillaria and the travel of ancient people are not accidental. Fritillaria and Allium bulbs are prized to this day by the native people of the Pacific Northwest as food, spice, and medicine. The dried bulbs prove ideal for long trips across ice or water. We suggest that these bulbs may have been carried by travelers on ancient routes of travel or migration, and occasionally left behind, either purposefully or accidentally, along the trail or at the campsite. If our hypothesis is correct, the early peopling of the new world came by way of Kamchatka, not by way of the Bering Strait. Some of the migrants, possibly Jomon people, may have come from Japan.

Isolation and Identification of a New Cysteine Sulfoxide and Volatile Sulfur Compounds from Allium Subgenus Melanocrommyum

A new cysteine sulfoxide containing a pyridyl residue was identified in bulbs of Allium L. species belonging to the subgenus Melanocrommyum section Megaloprason. One of these species, Allium stipitatum, is widely used as a crop plant and in folk medicine in Central Asia. The new cysteine sulfoxide was identified as L-(+)-S-(2-pyridyl)-cysteine sulfoxide. Aside from this cysteine sulfoxide, several pyridyl compounds could be identified, which were formed out of cysteine sulfoxides by the action of alliinase. Found cysteine sulfoxides and their metabolites are chemically unstable; thus, the analysis is rather difficult. By combining high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC tandem mass spectrometry, NMR, IR, and photometric methods, full structure elucidation of the cysteine sulfoxide was possible. Alliinase reaction products were mainly determined by various MS techniques. The achieved results give new insights in the chemistry of Allium crop plants and are probably useful for chemotaxonomical classification of the subgenus Melanocrommyum.

Evaluation of genotoxicity of coal fly ash in Allium cepa root cells by combining comet assay with the Allium test

Fly ash is a by-product of coal-fired electricity generation plants. Its utilization and disposal is of utmost importance. Using onion (Allium cepa) root tip system, the present study was carried out to evaluate the potential toxic and genotoxic effects of fly ash, collected from a thermal power plant in West Bengal, India. Prior to testing, the collected fly ash sample was mixed with sand in different proportions. Allium bulbs were allowed to germinate directly in fly ash and after five days the germinating roots were processed for the Allium test. Additionally, the Allium test was adapted for detecting DNA damage through comet assay. The results from the Allium test indicate that fly ash at 100% concentration inhibits root growth and mitotic indices; induces binucleated cells as a function of the proportion, but is not toxic at very low concentration. In the comet assay, a statistical increase for DNA strand breaks was found only at higher concentrations. The sample was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometer for Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd and As, whose presence could partly be responsible for the toxicity of fly ash. The study concludes that the classical Allium test can give a more comprehensive data when done in combination with the comet assay, which is faster, simpler and independent of mitosis. Also when fly ash is used for other purposes in combination with soils, it should be judiciously used at very low concentrations in order to protect the ecosystem health from any potential adverse effects.

New evidence for the use of root foods in pre-agrarian subsistence recovered from the late Mesolithic site at Halsskov, Denmark

Roots and tubers, together with other plant storage organs such as rhizomes, bulbs, corms, etc. are known to be a source of human food. Until very recently, however, remains of root foods were rarely identified from archaeological contexts in temperate Europe. New evidence for the use of root foods has been recently recovered from the early Ertebolle settlement at Halsskov in Denmark. Remains included charred bulbs of Allium cf. ursinum and tubers of Conopodium majus. They were accompanied by charred remains of parenchymatous tissues derived from underground parts of other plants. All parenchymatous remains were recovered from features that could be interpreted as pit-cooking depressions. A minimum of two periods of root food gathering can be assumed, spring to early summer and autumn. The presence of charred seeds of Nuphar pumilum suggests that either the seeds or rhizomes (or both) were use as food.

Biomonitoring of low levels of mercurial derivatives in water and soil by Allium micronucleus assay

The Allium micronucleus (MNC) assay was developed to monitor low levels of mercury in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Four mercurial derivatives namely mercuric chloride (MC), methyl mercuric chloride (MMC), phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA) and a methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride based fungicide, Emisan-6, were tested to assess the sensitivity and versatility of the Allium MNC assay. Allium bulbs were set directly on water and soil contaminated with known levels of mercurial derivatives (0.0001–10.00 ppm). On the 5th day the endpoints measured were root length, mitoses with spindle abnormality and cells with MNC in root meristems. The effective concentrations of the test chemicals that cause 50% of root length as compared to control (EC 50) were determined from dose-response curves so obtained. The lowest effective concentration tested (LECT) and highest ineffective concentration tested (HICT) for each of the mercurial derivatives for the induction of spindle malfunction and MNC were determined. It was found that EC 50, LECT and HICT values for mercurial derivatives in soil were higher than those in water. The frequencies of cells with MNC and mitoses with spindle abnormality were highly correlated indicating that MNC is a good parameter of spindle malfunction. The present approach increased the sensitivity of the Allium assay by 10-fold, the detection limit being 0.001–0.1 ppm and 0.1–1.0 ppm in aquatic and terrestrial environments respectively, depending on the species of mercury.

Carbohydrates ofAllium. IX. Carbohydrate components ofAllium cepa

The carbohydrate components of the bulbs ofAllium cepa L. (white variety) have been characterized. It has been established that the main carbohydrate component is the ethanol-soluble fraction. Information has been obtained on the elementary compositions and origin of a number of fragments in the mass spectrum of the peracetate of 1F-kestose.

Carbohydrates ofAlium. VIII. Polysaccharides ofAllium coeruleum

The group carbohydrate composition of the bulbs ofAllium coeruleum Pall. have been studied. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of the glucofructans, pectin substances, and hemicelluloses isolated have been determined and their physicochemical characteristics are reported. A general formula for the glucofructan fromA. coeruleum bulbs is given on the basis of the results of periodate oxidation, methylation, and IR, and13C NMR spectroscopy.

Carbohydrates ofAllium. IV. Glucofructans ofAllium longicuspis

Water-soluble polysaccharides have been isolated from the bulbs ofAllium longicuspis Rgl. By fractionating the combined water-soluble polysaccharides, homogeneous polysaccharides with molecular weights of 15,500 and 5100 have been isolated. It has been shown by spectral and chemical methods that they consist of glucofructans of a mixed type containing glycosidic bonds of the inulin (2 → 1) and levan (2→6) types in a ratio of 2.1:1.

Carbohydrates ofAllium. II. A new type of glucofructan fromAllium sativum

By fractionating the total glucofructan from the bulbs ofAllium sativum L. a homogeneous glucofructan with a molecular weight of 2300 has been isolated. On the basis of its characteristics, a comparison of IR and13C NMR spectra, and the results of periodate and chromium trioxide oxidation and of methylation, it has been established that this glucofructan is a new type of compound of this class, containing both inulin (2 → 1) and levan (2 → 6) glycosidic bonds.

Steroid saponins and sapogenins ofAllium. XV. Eruboside B fromAllium erubescens

A new steroid glycoside of the spirostan series — eruboside B (I) — has been isolated from an ethanolic extract of the bulbs ofAllium erubescens C. Koh. In an acid hydrolysate, the aglycone β-chlorogenin (II) and the sugars D-glucose and D-galactose in a ratio of 3:1 have been found. By methylation, partial hydrolysis, and oxidation the structure of the spirostanol (I) has been established as (25R)-5α-spirostan-3β,6β-diol 3-O-{[O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside}.

Steroid saponins and sapogenins ofAllium. XVI. Turoside C fromAllium turcomanicum

From a methanolic extract of the bulbs ofAllium turcomanicum Rgl. we have isolated a new furostanol glycoside, turoside C (I). An acid hydrolysate was found to contain the aglycone — neoagigenin (II) — and the sugars D-xylose, D-glucose, and D-galactose in a ratio of 1:4:1. The structure of the furostanol (I) has been established by methylation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and oxidative cleavage, and also by the oxidative cleavage of (II), as (25S)-5α-furostan-2α,3β,6β,22α,26-pentaol 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside 3-O-{[O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galacto-pyranoside}.

Steroid saponins and sapogenins ofAllium XII. Turoside a fromAllium turcomanicum

A methanolic extract of the bulbs ofAllium turcomanicum Rgl. has yielded a new steroid glycoside — turoside A — which is 3β-[0-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-galactopyranosyloxy-(25S)-5α-spirostan-2α,6β-diol.