Antigenotoxic Activity of Carissa spinarum (L.) Leaves Extract against Allethrin-Induced Genotoxicity in Allium cepa (L.) Meristematic Cells

Aim:

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antigenotoxic properties of Carissa spinarum leaf extract against allethrin-induced genotoxicity in Allium cepa (L.) meristematic cells.

Materials and Methods:

Phytochemical screening methods were employed to analyze and quantify the phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid content, as well as to conduct histochemical assessments on the extract to understand the efficacy and its antigenotoxic mechanism.

Results:

The phytochemical analysis of C. spinarum leaves revealed the presence of tannin, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, polyphenols and glycosides, with the absence of alkaloids and anthocyanin in the aqueous extract. Significant amounts of flavonoids, terpenoids and total phenols were detected in C. spinarum leaves. Histochemical analysis further confirmed the presence of these phytochemicals. The A. cepa L. root tip model shows that C. spinarum extract enhances root growth and reduces genotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Root length increases significantly at 0.4 mg/mL and genotoxicity decreases with extract concentrations (79.86%, 50.39% and 5.49%) compared to Allethrin-treated group II (96.31%).

Conclusion:

The genotoxicity percentage increased in the Allethrin-treated group, indicating genotoxicity, while it decreased in the C. spinarum extract-treated group, confirming its antigenotoxic effect, as reported in our study.