Genotoxic Effects of Crude Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Bone Marrow Cells of Mice

Abstract

Oral administration for one week of 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0g/kg body weight/day of crude leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) to laboratory inbred albino Swiss-mice induced both individual and gross types of mitotic chromosome abnormalities in the bone marrow cells. The frequency of total abnormalities was dose-dependent. Gross type abnormalities appeared even at the lowest dose and remained unchanged in their frequency at the higher doses; the individual type abnormalities were induced only at the highest dose.