Cytogenotoxicity Assessment of Aqueous Extracts of Rauvolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the Male Germ Line Cells of the Pest Grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)
Dongmo Tonleu Ingrid *
Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
Seino Richard Akwanjoh
Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon and Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, P.O.Box 39, Bambili-Bamenda, Cameroon.
Ngnaniyyi Abdoul
Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
Manjeli Yacouba
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cytogenotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel (Apocynaceae) stem bark were assessed on male germ line cells of the grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus. Concentrations of 0, 10, 15 and 20 µg/ml of infused and macerated aqueous extracts of R. vomitoria were prepared and administered through injection to the grasshoppers. Grasshoppers were dissected after 72 hours of incubation and the different parameters were then evaluated. Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the length and the width of testis follicles with increasing concentrations of the two aqueous plant extracts. Meiosis analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in meiotic abnormalities with increasing concentrations of the two aqueous plant extracts. Infused and macerated aqueous extracts of R. vomitoria at different concentrations did not modify the karyotype of Z. variegatus. Cyclophosphamide (CP) induced chromosomes aberrations and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the mean chromosomes complement number which ranged from 2n= 19.00 ± 0.00 (controlled individuals) to 2n= 17.60 ± 1.82 (CP treated individuals). These observations indicate that infused and macerated aqueous extracts of R. vomitoria stem bark could induced cytogenotoxicity on the germ line cells of the grasshopper Z. variegatus. These results also confirm the utilization of CP as positive control in chromosomes aberration assays on grasshoppers.
Keywords: Chromosome aberration, cyclophosphamide, cytogenotoxicity, meiosis, rauvolfia vomitoria, zonocerus variegatus