Cytotoxic and antimitotic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Streblus asper Lour. on Allium cepa root apical meristem cells

Streblus asper Lour. is a traditionally used medicinal plant of family Moraceae, which is indigenous to tropical countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. The present study aimed to analyze cytotoxic and antimitotic effects of aqueous leaf extract (LAESA) of Streblus asper in Allium cepa root apical meristem cells. Allium cepa roots were treated with different concentrations of LAESA (0.5–4 mg mL−1) and studied for root growth retardation, mitotic index (MI), cytological and chromosomal abnormalities. The LAESA treated samples showed a concentration-dependent root growth retardation, a decreased MI, and an increase in the various cytotoxic effects, such as nuclear lesion, giant cells, sticky chromosomes, hyperchromasia, vacuolated prophase, and chromatid breaks in A. cepa root tip cells. Thus, this preliminary study explores the potential cytotoxic and antimitotic effects of LAESA in A. cepa root tip cells and warrants further in vitro and in vivo studies that may contribute to natural product-based drug discovery.