Differential genotoxicity of the crude leaf extract of a medicinal plant, Casearia tomentosa.
The genotoxic potentiality of the crude leaf extract of Casearia tomentosa, a medicinal preparation, has been evaluated in Swiss albino mice. The extract significantly induced the division-disruptive chromosomal changes in bone marrow cells as well as in primary spermatocytes; the latter also exhibited marked increase in synaptic disruptions. A significant decrease in sperm count was noted. The incidence of structural damages in chromosomes, however, remained within the range of control level frequency. This herbal preparation, therefore, appears to be primarily spindle-poisoning in its action, but not clastogenic. The probable mechanism of this differential genotoxicity is discussed.
Awasthy
K S
KS
Department of Zoology, Bhagalpur University, India.
Chaurasia
O P
OP
Sinha
S P
SP
Khan
P K
PK
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000633:toxicity*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts