Protection afforded by aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus species against cytotoxicity induced by lead and aluminium salts

Oral administration of aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit and P. niruri L. leaves to laboratory bred albino mice for a week, significantly reduced the cytotoxic action of lead nitrate and aluminium sulphate. The frequency of chromosomal breakages, gaps and rearrangements induced by three concentrations of these salts was decreased when compared to the control animals which had received the salts alone. The plant extracts were equally effective in modifying the clastogenic effects of both lead nitrate and aluminium sulphate.