Cytological Assay of C-mitotic Potency of Colchicine Obtained from Gloriosa superba L

Abstract

C-mitotic activity of colchicine and crude extract obtained from G. superba was tested and C-mitotic potency was scored according to the system proposed by Greenberg et al. (1966). It was observed that 100, 75 and 50 ppm solutions of Gloriosa colchicine induced C-mitotic and C. tumor reactions. While crude extract at lower concentration (2.5% of dried rhizome powder) gave very promising results in inducing C-mitosis but higher dosages (5, 10, 15 and 20% of dried powder) were lethal and prevented mitotic initiations and normal course of mitoses in the dividing tissue. The roots with C-tumors when returned to water resumed their further growth. Therefore, it is concluded that Gloriosa colchicine has similar micro and macroscopic effects to that produced from colchicine obtained from Colchicum autmunale Linn.