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Cytogenotoxicity of the aqueous extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaf using Allium cepa assay

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Abstract

Parquetina nigrescens has been used for decades in ethnomedicine for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and aphrodisiac properties. In this study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of aqueous crude leaf extracts of P. nigrescens on the root meristematic cells of Allium cepa was examined. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the plant extract were also identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The extract was prepared with tap water as is locally practised by many Nigerians. Onion bulbs were exposed to 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50% concentrations of the extract for the analysis of root growth inhibition and chromosomal aberration. Lead nitrate (10 ppm) and tap water were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The result showed cytotoxicity which was observed as statistically significant (p <p0.05), concentration-dependent inhibition of root growth from 5 to 50% concentrations of the plant extract compared with the negative control. At 10 and 20% concentrations, the extract showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) genotoxicity by inducing different chromosomal aberrations such as fragments, disturbed spindle, delayed, and sticky chromosomes. The GC–MS analysis identified 14 VOCs of which 1, 2-benzenediol, 4H-pyran-4-one, 2, 3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were believed to be responsible for the observed cytogenotoxicity. These results show that the aqueous crude leaf extracts of P. nigrescens at high concentrations are cytogenotoxic and therefore should be consumed with caution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Okunola Adenrele Alabi

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Okunola Adenrele Alabi, Halimat Chisom Atanda & John A. V. Olumurewa

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  1. Okunola Adenrele Alabi
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  2. Halimat Chisom Atanda
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  3. John A. V. Olumurewa
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Okunola A. Alabi, Halimat Chisom Atanda, and J. A. V. Olumurewa. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Halimat Chisom Atanda and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Okunola Adenrele Alabi.

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Alabi, O.A., Atanda, H.C. & Olumurewa, J.A.V. Cytogenotoxicity of the aqueous extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaf using Allium cepa assay. Protoplasma 259, 1417–1425 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-022-01741-6

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