Open Access

ARTICLE

Evaluation of cytotoxic potential of latex of Calotropis procera and Podophyllotoxin in Allum cepa root model

by R. SEHGAL, S. ROY, V.L. KUMAR*

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110 029, INDIA.
Address correspondence to: Dr. Vijay L. Kumar. Department of Pharmacology. All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029, INDIA. Fax: (+91-11) 26588663. E-mail: kumarv198@hotmail.com

BIOCELL 2006, 30(1), 9-13. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2006.30.009

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 cyproheptadine 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.

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