Antimitotic and Cytotoxic Effects of Leaf Aqueous Extract of Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf. in Allium cepa Root Apical Meristem Cells

Abstract

Scadoxus multiflorus is a traditionally used medicinal plant, widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to South Africa and in some places of Saudi Arabia and India. The present study aimed to analyze antimitotic and cytotoxic effects of leaf aqueous extract of S. multiflorus (LAESM) in Allium cepa root apical meristem cells. The root growth retardation, mitotic index (MI), cytological and mitotic abnormalities were analyzed in A. cepa root apical meristem cells after LAESM treatment. The LAESM induced a concentration-dependent A. cepa root growth retardation, MI decreased to a large extent in the treated samples. The LAESM induced mitotic, nuclear, and chromosomal abnormalities in A. cepa root tip cells. Thus, the present work indicates for the first time antimitotic and cytotoxic potentials of leaf aqueous extract of S. multiflorus.