title: Evaluation of cytotoxic potential of latex of Calotropis procera and podophyllotoxin in Allium cepa root model.
abstract: In the present study we have utilized the Allium cepa root tip meristem model to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-mitotic activities of latex of Calotropis procera (DL) and podophyllotoxin. Standard cytotoxic drug cyclophosphamide and non-cytotoxic drugs cyprohcptadine and aspirin served as controls. Like cyclophosphamide, both DL and podophyllotoxin significantly inhibited the growth of roots and mitotic activity in a dose-dependent manner. However, podophyllotoxin was more potent in this regard and produced root decay. Cyproheptadine and aspirin, on the other hand, showed a marginal effect on the root growth and mitotic activity at much higher concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110 029, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D031107:Calotropis / Q000737:chemistry; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007840:Latex / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019697:Onions / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D011034:Podophyllotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D003603:Cytotoxins; D007840:Latex; D011034:Podophyllotoxin