title: Chromosomal and nuclear alterations in root tip cells of allium cepa L. Induced by alprazolam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alprazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine used in panic disorders and other anxiety states. Target organ of Alprazolam is CNS, causing depression of respiration and consciousness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to estimate the genotoxic potential of Alprazolam using Allium cepa test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Allium cepa is one of the most suitable plants for detecting different types of xenobiotics. The test enables the assessment of different genetic endpoints making possible damage to the DNA of humans to be predicted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alprazolam induced chromosomal (anaphase bridges, breaks, lagging and stickiness, abnormal spiralisation, multipolarity and polyploidy) and cytological aberrations, especially nuclear alterations (nuclear buds, fragmented nucleus and apoptotic bodies, cells without nucleus, binucleated and micronucleated cells), morphological alterations in shape and size of cells, spindle disturbance and polar deviation in root tip meristem cells of Allium cepa at all tested concentrations. Alprazolam also caused significant inhibition of mitotic index in these cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These changes in cells are indicators of genotoxic potential of Alprazolam suggesting a need for further in vitro studies on animal and human lymphocytes as well as in vivo studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Hilada
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nefic
authors.affiliation: Department for Biology and Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musanovic
authors.affiliation: Department for Biology and Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Prishtina.
authors.forename: Kemajl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurteshi
mesh_terms: D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects*; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008940:Mitotic Index; D019697:Onions / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000525:Alprazolam
keywords: Allium cepa test; Alprazolam; Apoptotic bodies; Genotoxicity