Antimitotic and genotoxic effect of methanolic extracts of leaves of Peganum harmala L. on the meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.

Medicinal plants are an inexhaustible source of molecules with several biological activities. The main objective this research was the evaluation antimitotic and genotoxic effect by Allium cepa test methanolic extract leaves Peganum harmala, a spontaneous plant from arid zones Algeria (Timzerth, Laghouat). Different concentrations (1, 4, 10, 16 mg∙mL-1) extract, as well two standards (colchicine quercetin) at 1 mg∙mL-1 concentration were tested. Mitotic index (MI), limit value for cytotoxicity (LVC), phase (PI), aberration indexes (AI) calculated, different aberrations identified in treated meristematic onion cells. Statistical analyses ANOVA Newman-Keuls performed. results confirmed our previous findings that has anti-mitotic similar to standards. increase accompanied decrease various calculated. extracts blocked mitosis prophase which predominantly present, caused abnormalities, represented dominant rates agglutinations, chromosomal fragmentations binuclear independent concentrations, though varying degrees.