Cytotoxicity potentials of some medicinal plants in Mindanao, Philippines

This study aimed to assess the crude ethanolic extracts of five medicinal plants on Allium cepa (onion) root tip cells and kidney /liver cells of BALB/c strain mice for cytotoxic potential by observing any possible chromosomal aberrations in order to ensure a relatively safe use of medicinal plants. The five medicinal plants include Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. (Tuba-tuba), Smallanthus sonchifolius (Yacon), Chromola enaodorata (Hagonoy), Euphorbia cotinifolia (Malapascuas) and Tinospora rumphii (Panyawan) which are commonly used among the indigenous inhabitants of Mt. Nebu, Bukidnon, Philippines. . Result of higher concentration of the extracts (25mg and 35mg) showed more chromosomal abnormalities compared to 5mg and 15mg. These abnormalities include disturbed metaphase, chromosome fragments, vagrant chromosome, chromosome bridge, C-mitosis, binucleated cell and the presence of micronucleus. Among the five plants, only the extract of S. sonchifolius did not indicate any abnormalities to the root tips. Histological validation in this study had resulted significant change in liver and kidney tissues of BALB/c strain mice. The result gave a good initial indication for the toxicity of the plants tested but did not necessarily establish a direct link to toxicological effects in humans. Thus, this study recommends further laboratory validation especially in vivo studies.

Author(s): Abigal R. Cuyacot, Jhun Joules M. Mahilum and Ma. Reina Suzette B. Madamba

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