Haemolytic and cytogenotoxic potential of aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata and its bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles.

Abstract

Nanotechnology is exceedingly gaining worldwide application in biology and medicine because of their proven efficacy. Annona muricata contains bioactive phytochemicals with an inherent ability to bio-fabricate metal ions nanoparticles (NPs). Annona muricata aqueous leaf extract and its green bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles were evaluated in red blood cells (RBC) for haemolytic activity and cytogenotoxicity in Allium cepa cells. The effects of A. muricata (Am-E) and Am-AgNPs, at 0.7, 7.0 and 70.0 µg/ml against H2O2-induced haemolytic in RBC and cyclophosphamide-induced cytogenotoxicity were evaluated in A. cepa cells. Result showed significant and concentration dependent anti-haemolytic activity of Am-E relative to Am-AgNPs. Am-AgNPs at 0.7 µg/ml protected A. Cape meristem root cell from cyclophosphamide-induced mitotic repression, but exacerbate the effects at 7 and 70.0 µg/ml. Different degree of chromosomal abnormalities such as chromosome-bridge, sticky chromosome, and c-mitosis were observed in all the treatment groups with chromosome-bridge and sticky chromosome being prominent in most of the treatment groups. This study revealed stronger anti-hemolytic efficacy of Am-E at higher concentrations when compared with Am-AgNPs. Chromosomal abnormalities observed in this study may suggest the possible effect of the nanoparticles on onion cell chromosomes at higher concentrations. The protection of AgNPs at lower concentration against cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal aberration may suggest its potential as an anti-genotoxic agent.