Evaluation of cytotoxicity of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. and Moringa oleifera Lam. in root Meristem cells of Allium cepa L

Abstract

The bark of Terminalia arjuna and Moringa oleifera are the two popular folk medicine that have been used for the treatment of different health problem since long back. In the present investigation cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of bark extracts of both the plants in Allium cepa root meristem cells were studied. A significant cell cycle inhibition was observed in very lower concentration (0.5-10mg/ml) of the treatments. In all the tested concentration, cytotoxic effects on cell division were also observed. The mitotic abnormalities were recorded as sticky metaphase, clumped metaphases, laggard chromosome, vagrant chromosome, chromosome bridges at anaphase and at telophase. The frequency of mitotic abnormalities was found to be directly associated with the increase in the concentration of aqueous extracts of barks of tested species. The result indicate that the inappropriate doses of these herbal medicine may lead to health complications.