Allium Test Research Articles

Metal chelating and anti-radical activity of Salvia officinalis in the ameliorative effects against uranium toxicity

Uranium is a highly radioactive heavy metal that is toxic to living things. In this study, physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical toxicity caused by uranium and the protective role of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaf extract against this toxicity were investigated with the help of Allium test. Germination percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) formation, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and changes in root meristem cells were used as indicators of toxicity. In the experimental stage, a total of six groups, one of which was the control, were formed. Group I was treated with tap water, while group II and III were treated only with sage (190 mg/L and 380 mg/L). Groups IV, V and VI were germinated with uranyl acetate dihydrate (0.1 mg/mL), uranyl acetate dihydrate + 190 mg/L sage and uranyl acetate dihydrate + 380 mg/L sage, respectively. Allium cepa L. bulbs of each group were germinated for 72 h, and at the end of the period, routine preparation techniques were applied and physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical analyzes were performed. As a result, uranium application caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in all physiological parameters and MI values. MN, CAs numbers, SOD and CAT enzyme activities and MDA levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) with uranium application. Uranium promoted CAs in the root tip cells in the form of fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, bridge and unequal distribution of chromatin. In addition, it caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage and flattened cell nucleus in root tip meristem cells. Sage application together with uranium caused significant (p < 0.05) increases in physiological parameters and MI values and significant decreases in MN, CAs, SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels. In addition, the application of sage resulted in improvement in the severity of anatomical damages induced by uranium. It was determined that the protective role of sage observed for all parameters investigated was even more pronounced at dose of 380 mg/L. The protective role of sage against uranium toxicity is related to its antioxidant activity, and sage has 82.8% metal chelating and 72.9% DPPH removal activity. As a result, uranyl acetate exhibited versatile toxicity in A. cepa, caused cytotoxicity by decreasing the MI rate, and genotoxicity by increasing the frequencies of MN and CAs. And also, Sage acted as a toxicity-reducing agent by displaying a dose-dependent protective role against the toxic effects induced by uranyl acetate.

GC-MS and HPLC supported phytochemical analysis of watercress and the protective role against paraben toxicity.

In this study, the phytochemical content of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (watercress) leaf extract (Noex) and its protective effects against paraben toxicity were investigated. GC-MS and HPLC analyses were performed to determine the phytochemical content. Paraben toxicity and protective properties of Noex were investigated with the Allium test, and 6 different groups were formed for this purpose. Toxicity in each group was investigated by using physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical parameters. DNA-paraben interaction was investigated with spectroscopic analysis for the genotoxicity mechanism. As a result of the study, paraben (500mM) caused a regression in the physiological parameters related to germination in Allium cepa L. bulbs. Paraben caused a 43.3% reduction in mitotic index (MI) rates compared to control, which is likely the reason for the decrease in germination-related parameters. With the application of paraben in root tip cells, the frequency of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) increased and a high genotoxic effect was observed. Paraben promoted CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, and irregular mitosis. It also caused anatomical damage in the form of epidermis cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, cortex cell damage, cortex cell walls thickening, and unclear vascular tissue in root tip meristem cells. Paraben-DNA interaction was caused by bathochromic and hypochromic shifts in the UV spectrum of DNA, indicating the intercalation mode of interaction. Paraben also caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels, and abnormalities in antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase = SOD and catalase = CAT), thereby disrupting the antioxidant/oxidant dynamics in the cell. The basis of physiological, cytological, and genetic abnormalities was attributed to the oxidative stress in the cell. Administration of Noex produced a dose-dependent incremental improvement in paraben-induced abnormalities. The increase in GSH levels and the decrease in MDA levels observed as a result of the Noex application contributed to the restoration of antioxidant/oxidant balance, and this improvement was also reflected in other parameters. Application of 200mg/L Noex provided a 24.2% improvement in the MI rate reduced by paraben, and accordingly, an increase in germination parameters was observed. Similarly, the frequencies of MN and CAs, which are signs of genotoxicity, decreased with the Noex application. As a result of the phytochemical analysis of Noex with HPLC and GC-MS, the presence of strong antioxidant and antimutagenic substances such as rutin, coumaric acid, ferrulic acid, L-serine, L-proline, and phytol were determined in Noex structure. The curative effects of Noex against paraben toxicity can be attributed to these active ingredients.

Dose-dependent toxicity profile and genotoxicity mechanism of lithium carbonate

The increasing widespread use of lithium, which is preferred as an energy source in batteries produced for electric vehicles and in many electronic vehicles such as computers and mobile phones, has made it an important environmental pollutant. In this study, the toxicity profile of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) was investigated with the Allium test, which is a bio-indicator test. Dose-related toxic effects were investigated using Li2CO3 at doses of 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 100 mg/L. The toxicity profile was determined by examining physiological, cytotoxic, genotoxic, biochemical and anatomical effects. Physiological effects of Li2CO3 were determined by root length, injury rate, germination percentage and weight gain while cytotoxic effects were determined by mitotic index (MI) ratio and genotoxic effects were determined by micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs). The effect of Li2CO3 on antioxidant and oxidant dynamics was determined by examining glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and anatomical changes were investigated in the sections of root meristematic tissues. As a result, Li2CO3 exhibited a dose-dependent regression in germination-related parameters. This regression is directly related to the MI and 100 mg/L Li2CO3 reduced MI by 38% compared to the control group. MN and CAs were observed at high rates in the groups treated with Li2CO3. Fragments were found with the highest rate among CAs. Other damages were bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, irregular mitosis, reverse polarization and multipolar anaphase. The genotoxic effects were associated with Li2CO3-DNA interactions determined by molecular docking. The toxic effects of Li2CO3 are directly related to the deterioration of the antioxidant/oxidant balance in the cells. While MDA, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased by 59.1% in the group administered 100 mg/L Li2CO3, GSH, which has an important role in cell defense, decreased by 60.8%. Significant changes were also detected in the activities of SOD and CAT, two important enzymes in antioxidant defense, compared to the control. These toxic effects, which developed in the cells belonging to the lithium-treated groups, were also reflected in the tissue anatomy, and anatomical changes such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, thickening of the cortex cell wall and unclear vascular tissue were observed in the anatomical sections. The frequency of these changes also increased depending on the Li2CO3 dose. As a result, Li2CO3, which is one of the lithium compounds, and has become an important contaminant in the environment with increasing technological developments, caused a combined and versatile toxicity in Allium cepa L. meristematic cells, especially by causing deterioration in antioxidant/oxidant dynamics.

Genotoxicity of Natural Water during the Mass Development of Cyanobacteria Evaluated by the Allium Test Method: A Model Experiment with Microcosms

Cyanobacteria, which develop abundantly in aquatic ecosystems, can be harmful to humans and animals not only by releasing toxins that cause poisoning but also by provoking cytogenetic effects. The influence of the mass development of cyanobacteria on the genotoxic properties of natural water has been studied in model ecosystems (microcosms) with different compositions of biotic components (zooplankton, amphipods and fish). The validated plant test system “Allium test” was used in this study. Genotoxic effects were detected at microcystin concentrations below those established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. In all experimental treatments, cells with disorders such as polyploidy and mitotic abnormalities associated with damage to the mitotic spindle, including c-mitosis, as well as lagging chromosomes were found. Genotoxic effects were associated with the abundance of cyanobacteria, which, in turn, depended on the composition of aquatic organisms in the experimental ecosystem. Fish, to a greater extent than other aquatic animals, maintain an abundance of cyanobacteria. After one month, in microcosms with fish, mitotic abnormalities and polyploidy continued to be detected, whereas in other treatments, there were no statistically significant genotoxic effects. In microcosms with amphipods, the number and biomass of cyanobacteria decreased to the greatest extent, and only one parameter of genotoxic activity (frequency of polyploidy) significantly differed from the control.

Действие аминогликозидных антибиотиков на генотоксичность в Allium тесте

The influence of aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin and gentamicin) on mitosis’s pathology in the cells of root meristem Allium cepa L. in the first metaphase after processing and after finishing the recovery period is investigated. Research methods: Allium test, cytogenetic analysis, statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted on a batch of the Stuttgarter variety which is genetically unstable as the result of micronucleus test. The results of aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin — in the concentration of 1000 mg/l, on exposure of 24 and 48 hours; gentamicin — 100,0 mg/l, on exposure of 48 hours) showed their negative influence and the increased growth of pathological processes in the cells of root meristem Allium cepa L. The comparative analysis of the part of clastogenic type aberrations and anogenic type aberrations according to all research methods let come to conclusion that antibiotics under test show the higher ability to cause mitosis’s pathology, connected with damage of mitotic apparatus than pathology associated with damage and disruption of chromosomes structure. Among clastogenic type aberrations chiasma and chromatid bridges dominate. Among anogenic type aberrations chromosome lagging, mitosis in some morphological variants (hyperspiralization of the chromosomes and their discharge in the metaphase; chromosome discharge in the metaphase and the anaphase); chromatic agglutination at various degree, up to formation of clots at metaphase with abnormal structures formation) dominate. It’s considered that increased duration of streptomycin action causes more negative consequences in comparison with less stress pressure. Since the recovery period partial cell repair after streptomycin occurs for 2–3 cell cycles. Under the influence of gentamicin, chromatic agglutination and single ring chromosomes were observed in 80% of the cells. These consequences have been unrepaired and after the recovery period the fatality of 90% rootlets was observed.

Evaluation of Genotoxic Effect of Phloxine by Allium Test

Phloxine is used as a food dye. In this study, genotoxicity of phloxine at the root tip of Allium cepa L. was investigated. A. cepa L. meristematic root tip cells were treated with ten different doses of phloxine. In this way, the EC50 value was determined. Then, phloxine was applied to root tips at EC50/2, EC50 and EC50×2 doses. Treatment time was determined as 24, 48 and 72 hours. As a result, it was revealed that phloxine caused chromosomal aberrations in cells in mitotic cycle at the root tip of A. cepa. There are equatorial plate shifting in metaphase, laggard chromosome, disturbed spindle, chromosome stickiness, C-mitosis, polar shifting among the observed chromosomal aberrations. It was stated that the % chromosomal aberration index (CAI) increased depending on concentration increase. It has been demonstrated that the highest % chromosomal aberration index occurred at the EC50×2 dose for 72 hours. According to the research, it was revealed that phloxine has a genotoxic effect on the root cells of A. cepa. For this reason, it can be emphasized that care should be taken in its use in foods.

Влияние тетрациклинов на патологию митоза в клетках образовательной ткани корней Allium cepa L.

The effect of tetracyclines (tetracycline and doxycycline) on genetic apparatus damage in the cells of root meristem Allium сера L. in the first metaphase after processing and after finishing the recovery period is investigated. Research methods: Allium test, cytogenetic analysis, statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted on a batch of the Stuttgarten variety which is genetically unstable as the result of micronucleus test. It’s indicated that the reaction of the tested material to the effect of tetracyclines depends on the concentration and duration of antibiotics. Aneugenic type aberrations such as mitosis, chromatic agglutination up to the formation of clots were prevailing in the cycling cells. An increase in the proportion of PM (chromatic agglutination, various bridges), the result of which is nucleus pycnosis and cell death was indicated for this genotype after the recovery period. It’s observed that after the recovery period there is a significant increase of cells with mitosis under the influence of tetracycline in the concentration of 20.0 mg/l, on exposure of 23 and 48 hours. The negative influence of tetracycline in the concentration of 100.0 mg/l was investigated, PM value reached 64.2%; the decrease of cells with PM wasn’t observed after the recovery period. In both cases cells with mitosis and chromatic agglutination were dominating. Doxycycline effect in the concentration of 20.0 and 100.0 mg/l caused the doubling of PM in comparison with control. After the recovery period a number of cells regardless of experienced concentration grew due to the increased number of cells with mitosis and chromatic agglutination. It’s necessary to mention different effects of meristematic cells of onion roots under the action of structural isomer which are tetracycline and doxycycline. It’s worth mentioning that the increase in concentration of bacteriostatic antibiotic (tetracycline and doxycycline) is necessary for maximum inactivation on the one hand. On the other hand, negative processes increase in the cells of eukaryotic organisms during the passage of the cell cycle, particularly, mitosis.

Влияние урбанизированных территорий на митотическую активность клеток меристемы корней лука репчатого (Allium cepa L.)

The article presents the results of the use of cytogenetic methods in assessing the impact of urbanized territories on the mitotic activity of cells of the onion root meristem Allium cepa L. The research was carried out on 4 sites with different anthropogenic load. The Allium test research method is based on the analysis of the values of the mitotic index of the meristem cells of the Allium cepa L. root sprouted on the melted snow water of the studied points. The study showed that pollution of urbanized territories has a mutagenic effect, causing the formation of chromosomal aberrations and other types of mitosis pathology in the cells of the apical meristem of the roots of Allium cepa L. Keywords: CYTOGENETIC METHODS, MITOTIC INDEX, ALLIUM TEST, ONION, URBANIZED TERRITORIES

Влияние бета-лактамных антибиотиков на патологию митоза в Allium тесте

The beta-lactam antibiotics (cefotaxime and augmentin) effect on mitosis’s pathology in the Allium test in the first metaphase after processing and after finishing the recovery period is investigated. Research methods: Allium test, cytogenetic analysis, statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted on a batch of the Stuttgarten variety which is genetically unstable as the result of micronucleus test. The results of aminoglycoside antibiotics on genotoxicity testing showed the lack of negative cefotaxime’s influence (in the concentration of 500.0 mg/l) on the mitosis’s pathology value in comparison with the control, regardless of action time/ valid time (during the 1 or 2–3 cell cycles). The increase of pathological processes was observed when testing augmentin (in the concentration of 800.0 mg/l). Under the influence of augmentin the percent of micronucleus cells increased from 0.3% (as a control/ in a control) to 2.3% (in the experiment). Also, in comparison with the control, the value of mitosis’s pathology increased from 6.1% (as a control/ in a control) to 10.1–16.0% (in the experiment). There is a significant increase of cells with bridge / cells bridge and mitosis. C-mitosis was observed in recovery period variants after applying augmentin (in the concentration of 800.0 mg/l, on exposure of 48 hours) and after cefotaxime (in the concentration of 500.0 mg/l, on exposure of 48 hours), in the first case as a typical mitosis in 20% of the cells with PM (pathology mitosis), in the second case — chromosome discharge in the metaphase and the anaphase of the 30% cells with PM. When testing augmentin in the first metaphase of the cell period, chromatic agglutination (12%), chiasma and chromatid bridges (35%) were observed. It is indicated that augmentin (in the concentration of 800.0 mg/l, on exposure of 48 hours) shows genotoxicity in comparison with the control and it’s able to change the rate of entry of onion cells into mitosis and the normal course of division processes. The recovery period for this antibiotic does not reduce the number of cells with mitosis pathology, but it changes their composition and spectrum.

Влияние тетрациклинов на патологию митоза в клетках образовательной ткани корней Allium cepa L.

The influence of tetracyclines (tetracycline and doxycycline) on genetic apparatus damage in the cells of root meristem Allium сера L. in the first metaphase after processing and after finishing the recovery period is investigated. Research methods: Allium test, cytogenetic analysis, statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted on a batch of the Stuttgarten variety which is genetically unstable as the result of micronucleus test. It’s indicated that the reaction of the tested material to the effect of tetracyclines depends on the concentration and duration of antibiotics. Aneugenic type aberrations such as mitosis, chromatic agglutination up to the formation of clots were prevailing in the cycling cells. An increase in the proportion of PM (chromatic agglutination, various bridges), the result of which is nucleus pycnosis and cell death was indicated for this genotype after the recovery period. It’s observed that after the recovery period there is a significant increase of cells with mitosis under the influence of tetracycline in the concentration of 20.0 mg/l, on exposure of 23 and 48 hours. The negative influence of tetracycline in the concentration of 100.0 mg/l was investigated, PM value reached 64.2%; the decrease of cells with PM wasn’t observed after the recovery period. In both cases cells with mitosis and chromatic agglutination were dominating. Doxycycline effect in the concentration of 20.0 and 100.0 mg/l caused the doubling of PM in comparison with control. After the recovery period a number of cells regardless of experienced concentration grew due to the increased number of cells with mitosis and chromatic agglutination. It’s necessary to mention different effects of meristematic cells of onion roots under the action of structural isomer which are tetracycline and doxycycline. It’s worth mentioning that the increase in concentration of bacteriostatic antibiotic (tetracycline and doxycycline) is necessary for maximum inactivation on the one hand. On the other hand, negative processes increase in the cells of eukaryotic organisms during the passage of the cell cycle, particularly, mitosis.

Assessment of the ameliorative effect of curcumin on pendimethalin-induced genetic and biochemical toxicity

The present study aimed to assess the toxic effects of pendimethalin herbicide and protective role of curcumin using the Allium test on cytological, biochemical and physiological parameters. The effective concentration (EC50) of pendimethalin was determined at 12 mg/L by the root growth inhibition test as the concentration reducing the root length by 50%. The roots of Allium cepa L. was treated with tap water (group I), 5 mg/L curcumin (group II), 10 mg/L curcumin (group III), 12 mg/L pendimethalin (group IV), 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 5 mg/L curcumin (group V) and 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 10 mg/L curcumin (group VI). The cytological (mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage), physiological (rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase level, catalase level and glutathione reductase level) indicators were determined after 96 h of treatment. The results revealed that pendimethalin treatment reduced rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain whereas induced chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage in roots of A. cepa L. Further, pendimethalin exposure elevated malondialdehyde level followed by antioxidant enzymes. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were up-regulated and glutathione reductase was down-regulated. The molecular docking supported the antioxidant enzymes activities result. However, a dose-dependent reduction of pendimethalin toxicity was observed when curcumin was supplied with pendimethalin. The maximum recovery of cytological, physiological and oxidative stress parameters was recorded at 10 mg/L concentration of curcumin. The correlation studies also revealed positive relation of curcumin with rooting percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic activity and glutathione reductase enzyme level while an inverse correlation was observed with chromosomal abnormalities, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation indicating its protective effect.

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.

Antimitotic and Antigenotoxic Activity of Calabash (Crescentia cujete) Fruit and Leaf Extracts on Mongo (Vigna radiata) seeds and Allium test

Calabash tree (C. cujete) is a flowering plant indigenous in the Philippines and used as a traditional medicine. The study aimed to assess the effects of fruit and leaf extracts from Calabash (C. cujete) on the percent inhibition, chromosomal aberrations, mitotic index and percent germination of the onion (Allium cepa) cell division and mongo seed (V. radiata) germination exposed to sodium azide (NaN3). Allium assay was used to determine the mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations with 400 mg/L C. cujete fruit and leaf extracts concentrations. The Cresentia cujete fruit extract exhibits more antimitotic and antigenotoxic potential compared to the leaf extract based on the mitotic index and frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the onion root cells. Thus, the fruit extract contains more phytochemicals compared to the leaf extract.

Mitodepressive and Genotoxic Potential of Crude Body Wall and Cuvierian Tubule Extracts of Mani-mani (Pearsonothuria graeffei Semper) on Root Meristems of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

The need to discover novel natural products has resulted in several explorations in the marine environment. The biological compounds from aquatic resources can boost effort on drug development and may promote species conservation. In this study, the mitodepressive and genotoxic properties of the extracts obtained from Pearsonothuria graeffei – a widely distributed and poorly explored sea cucumber species – were evaluated using the Allium test. The sea cucumber body wall and cuvierian tubule crude methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts were found to have potential genotoxic properties at concentrations of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 μg mL-1. A significant (p &lt; 0.05) growth inhibition in both length and the number of roots was exhibited at higher concentrations (1,000 and 1,500 μg mL-1) of the crude extracts similar to the control mutagen. The 1,000 μg mL-1 of cuvierian tubule methanol extract resulted in higher general toxicity in terms of root length inhibition than the control mutagen. A significantly lower mitotic index was exhibited in the crude body wall methanol extract at 500 μg mL-1 concentration. Also, a higher percent chromosomal aberration (p &lt; 0.05) was observed in onions treated with all concentrations of crude body wall ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts, and 500 μg mL-1 of the crude cuvierian tubule methanol and n-hexane extracts. In conclusion, the crude extracts of P. graeffei have mitodepressive and genotoxic properties, which are potential sources of bioactive compounds necessary for the development of treatment for some serious human diseases like cancer.

Investigating the toxicity of tropical reservoir sediments using the Allium test

Water pollution is a global environmental issue, and aquatic sediments are important compartments that might act as sinks or sources of contaminants. Once in the environment, inorganic contaminants such as metals can cause cytogenotoxic effects that damage genetic material and harm the aquatic community. Biological assays such as the Allium test can be used to investigate potential cytogenotoxicity of contaminated sediments based on the alterations of cell cycle indexes and chromosomal aberration frequencies. Therefore, we aimed to assess the toxicity of sediments from four Brazilian reservoirs using the Allium test. Sediments were sampled and elutriates were prepared in a simulating sediment resuspension in the water column. The Allium test was applied to the elutriates, and the metals copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, zinc, and iron were quantified. The elutriates derived from reservoir sediments were able to reduce the mitotic and anaphase index, increase the prophase and metaphase index, and boost chromosomal aberrations compared to the negative control. The cytogenotoxic effects observed may be linked to the presence of copper, zinc, and iron. Therefore, our results showed that the Allium test was a sensitive tool for warning the occurrence of genotoxic contaminants in sediment elutriates from four Brazilian reservoirs.

Genotoxic effect of two commonly used textile dyes Reactive Blue 19 and Reactive Black 5 using Allium cepa L. as an indicator

In this study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Reactive Blue 19 and Reactive Black 5 were investigated using the Allium test and comet assay. These chemicals are fabric dyes used in textile industries in various parts of Turkey. Bulbs with roots of Allium cepa L. were treated with different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 ppm) of these textile dyes for 24 h. and 48 h. The root tips were processed for cytological studies by the aseto-orcein squash procedure. Distilled water and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS, 10 ppm) were used as an negative and positive control, respectively. Exposure of Reactive Blue 19 and Reactive Black 5 significantly decreased mitotic index values. Additionally, all treatments changed the frequency of mitotic phases when compared with the control groups. These dyes increased chromosome aberrations in test material. Among these abnormalities were anaphase bridges, c-mitosis, laggards, micronuclei and stickiness. A significant increase in DNA damage was also observed at all concentrations of both Reactive Blue 19 and Reactive Black 5 examined by comet assay.

Powerful toxic activity of citrinin, a fungal phytotoxin, and its mode of action in onion cells.

The dose-related effects of citrinin (CTN) on various physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical parameters using Allium cepa L. bulbs as a test material were researched in the present study. The physiological parameters examinated were fresh weight, root length, root number, and germination percentage; the cytogenetic parameters were micronucleus (MN) frequency, chromosome aberration (CA), and mitotic index (MI); the biochemical parameters were catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and free proline contents. And the anatomical changes in root tip cells were investigated by cross-sections. For this aim, onion bulbs were splitted four groups as three applications and one control. The bulbs in the control group were treated with distilled water; the bulbs in the application groups were treated with 1 μM, 5 μM, and 10 μM doses of CTN for 7 days. CTN application caused a decrease in the physiological parameters compared to the control group. This treatment created an increase in the frequency of MN and CA, and a reduce in the MI. In addition, it induced a dose-dependent increase in CAT and SOD activities and MDA and proline contents compared to the control group. Moreover, after CTN application, anatomical changes such as flattened nucleus, cell wall thickening, and cell deformation were identified and it was found that these changes reached their maximum at 10 mg/L dose CTN. Concequently, CTN caused inhibitory effects and the Allium test material was found to be a useful bioindicator for monitoring these effects.

Toxic and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of Poligonum weyrichii Fr. Schmidt on the Allium test taken as an example.

The plant Poligonum weyrichii Fr. Schmidt is a promising plant in Murmansk region because it is a valuable source of flavonoid compounds. The aim of the study is to investigate, using a sensitive and the well-established Allium test, toxic and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of inflorescences and leaves of the middle tier, which differ in concentration (20, 50, 80 and 100%). According to the observations, the 50%, 80% and 100% concentration aqueous extracts of inflorescences and leaves of P. weyrichii have a mitodepressive effect on the cells of the root meristem of Allium cepa L., and inhibit the root growth, causing chromosomal abnormalities. The further investigations are necessary on selection of such aqueous extracts concentrations of P. weyrichii because this plant is the source of biologically active compounds.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Methanol Extracts of Some Gypsophila L. Species

In this study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Gypsophila perfoliata L. var. perfoliata, Gypsophila perfoliata L. var. araratica Kit Tan, Gypsophila pilosa Hudson and Gypsophila osmangaziensis Ataşlar &amp; Ocak plant extracts have been examined by using Allium Test method. Methanol extracts of plants have been prepared in 4 different concentrations (0.625 mg/ml, 1.250 mg/ml, 2.500 mg/ml and 5.000 mg/ml). After the onion roots were treated at these concentrations of plant extracts for 24 hours and 48 hours, mitosis preparations were prepared from these root tips. With the data being obtained by evaluating the preparations, mitotic index (%) and chromosome aberration (%) values have been calculated. Distilled water has been used as control group. It was found out that mitotic index and chromosome aberration values of all species showed significant differences compared to control group in the extract concentration range of 1.250–5.000 mg/ml. It has been determined that the most widely observed chromosome aberrations were disturbed metaphase, sticky metaphase, c-metaphase, disturbed anaphase and anaphase bridge.

Genotoxic Effects of Spirotetramat on Allium Cepa L.

In this research the genotoxic effects of spirotetramat have been determined by the meaning of mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal abnormality in Allium cepa L. root tip meristematic cells. For this purpose the Allium test was carried out exposing roots to spirotetramat for 24 and 48 hours at the concentrations of 1 mL/L, 2 mL/L, 4 mL/L. After the spirotetramat applications, root tips have been harvested and standard mitotic test procedures have been realized. The mitotic index was calculated as the number of dividing cells per number of 1000 1500 observed cells and the chromosomal aberrations also were scored for each group. Our results have showed that the mitotic index significantly decreased with the increase of doses and exposure times when compare to their controls. According to our results, MI value has been decreased as 56% and 65% in 4 mL/L spirotetramat application after 24 and 48 hours respectively. As a result of our research, it was understood that the chromosomal aberration frequency increased in all application groups when we compare with the control group. According to chromosomal aberration frequency results, when we compare with control group chromosome aberration frequency increased approximately seven fold in 4 mL/L spirotetramat applications after 24 and 48 hours respectively. Our results showed that spirotetramat induced significant increases of chromosomal aberrations such as table and pole shifting, chromosomal bridge. In addition that mitotic index (MI) decreased significantly with increasing of spirotetramat doses and the exposure time as compared to their controls. Keywords: Allium cepa, spirotetramat, genotoxicity, mitotic index. DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/7-06-03