Copper (Cu) contamination is an important environmental issue that may cause physiological disorders and genetic damage in living organisms. In the present study, the protective potential of an anthocyanin-rich Viburnum lantana mesocarp extract (VLE) against CuSO4·5H2O-induced cytogenetic damage was investigated using the Allium cepa assay. The total monomeric anthocyanin content of VLE was determined by the pH differential method. Rooting percentage, root length, and weight gain were evaluated as physiological parameters, whereas mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) frequency, and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were assessed as cytogenetic parameters. The obtained results revealed that CuSO4·5H2O treatment caused marked reductions in rooting percentage, root length, weight gain, and MI values, while significantly increasing MN frequency and chromosomal aberration incidence. Sticky chromosomes, fragments, and bridges were the most frequently observed aberration types. No apparent adverse effects were detected in the groups treated with VLE alone when compared with the negative control. In contrast, co-application of VLE with CuSO4·5H2O resulted in dose-dependent improvements in both physiological and cytogenetic parameters, with particularly notable reductions in micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations at higher VLE concentrations. These findings suggest that VLE may possess biological activity capable of contributing to the alleviation of Cu-induced cytogenetic damage and may represent a noteworthy natural source of bioactive compounds under conditions associated with heavy metal-induced stress.
Kalmuk et al. (Tue,) studied this question.