Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity Activities of Stembark Extract of Mammea africana
Jude E. Okokon *
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Elvis Edet
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Uchechukwu Loveth Iyanyi
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria.
Nwakaego O. Ebong
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria.
Martin Osita Anagboso
Department of Microbiology, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele campus, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Imoh Imeh Johhny
Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Mammea africana, a medicinal plant, used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of malaria, diabetes, poisoning and inflammatory diseases was investigated for cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. Onion bulbs were exposed to 2.5 mg/mL, 5mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL concentrations of the stembark extract for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Tap water was used as a negative control and Methotrexate (0.1 mg/mL) as a positive control. There was statistically significant (p< 0.05) inhibition of root growth depending on concentration by the extract when compared with the negative control group. All the tested concentrations of the extract were observed to have cytotoxic effect on cell division in A. cepa. When compared to the control group, the extract-induced chromosomal abnormalities and micronuclei (MNC) forms in A. cepa root tip cells were substantial (p<0.05). Further inducing cell death, ghost cells, membrane damage, and binucleated cells was the extract treatment. These findings imply that the phytochemical components of Mammea africana root extract exert their cytotoxic and genotoxic actions on A. cepa.
Keywords: Mammea africana, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, Allium cepa