Mitodepressive Effect of Rubia cordifolia Extract on the Bone Marrow Cells of Mice

The Rubia cordifolia extract showed a mitodepressive effect on the rate of cell division in bone marrow cells of Swiss male mice at all times of exposure and in almost all the concentrations studied compared with corresponding controls. This effect increased as the time of exposure increased. This reduction is attributed to the extract effect of inhibiting protein synthesis, suggesting probable effect of Rubia extract on the biosynthesis of certain amino acids as well as RNA synthesis. Following application of the lowest dose (25%), 24 h exposure was regarded the higher limit of time exposure in the experiments. After 24 h exposure and at the lowest dose 250 mg/ml (25%) the effect of Rubia extract started to decrease.