Active chemical constituents of Cynanchum viminale and its cytotoxic effects via apoptotic signs on Allium cepa root meristematic cells

Abstract

The present study evaluates the cytotoxic efficacy of methanolic extract of C. viminale on A. cepa root meristematic cells. DAPI staining was used to study the chromosomal aberrations indued by extract of C. viminale. Evans blue staining method was employed to estimate the cell death of root cells of A. cepa. The plant extract was found to impart severe cytological damges, specifically chromosomal aberrations at interphase and prophase stage of cell division. Various apoptotic signs such as apoptotic body formation, nuclear budding, micronucleus, nuclear disintegration, nuclear breakage etc. were observed in meristematic cells of A. cepa. The results suggest the cytotoxic, preferably genotoxic effect of methanolic extract of C. viminale as evidenced by various apoptotic symptoms on A. cepa root cells.

Keywords

• Cynanchum viminale
• aberrations
• Allium cepa
• cytotoxicity
• apoptosis