Cytogenotoxicological Effects of the Methanolic Extract of Dysophylla auricularia

Abstract: Dysophylla auricularia (L.) Blume. is a medicinal plant of the family Lamiaceae used in the tribal traditional medicinal practice in Bangladesh. The scientific basis of the toxicological effects of the plants is yet to be evaluated. This study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic and mutagenic non-clinical effects of the methanol extract of D. auricularia (MDA). The cytotoxic effect of MDA was observed on eggs of Artemia salina for 24-h treatment, while the toxic and mutagenic effects in Allium cepa for 48-h treatment. Potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) and copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) were used as standard A. salina and A. cepa test systems, respectively. For A. salina test, the MDA and K₂Cr₂O₇ were tested at 6.25–100 µg ml⁻¹, while for A. cepa test MDA and CuSO₄·5H₂O at 100–500 µg ml⁻¹ and 0.6 µg ml⁻¹, respectively. Results showed that MDA increased mortality in A. salina in a concentration-dependent manner with highest mortality (50 ± 0.71%) at 100 µg ml⁻¹. In A. cepa test also, MDA caused concentration-dependent decrease in percentage of mitotic index with an increased number of non-dividing cells. Moreover, MDA also inhibited the growth of the meristematic region of A. cepa and caused an increase in chromosomal aberrations such as breaks, bridges, stickiness, as well as micronuclei formation in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, D. auricularia exhibited toxicological responses in A. salina and A. cepa test systems that advocates that adequate precautions should be taken during its traditional usages. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]