A Study on the Cytological Effects of Myrobalan (Fruit of \u3cem\u3eTerminalia chebula\u3c/em\u3e) in \u3cem\u3eAllium\u3c/em\u3e Tests

The present study was aimed to find the cytogenetic effects of myrobalan using Allium cepa as a model system. The onion bulbs were grown in the suspension of myrobalan in tap water at various concentrations (0.01, 0.10, 1.0, 10.0 and 30 mg/ml) for 96 hours. The mean root length, the colour of growing roots as well as the mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations were observed in the presence of myrolaban, in order to assess the cytological effects of myrobalan. The colour of growing roots was not affected at 0.01 and 0.1 mg/ml myrobalan concentrations, while it appeared pale at 1 mg and 10 mg/ml and black at 30 mg/ml concentrations. The root length was not affected at low concentrations of myrobalan, however, concentrations 1 mg/ml and above inhibited root length. The mitotic index, i.e., percentage of dividing root tip cells did not change at 0.01 and 0.10 mg/ml myrobalan concentration, however, it decreased significantly at 1 mg/ml and no mitosis was observed at 10 mg/ml and above, as the cells were seen in interphase with nucleoli. Abnormal mitosis and chromosomal aberrations like sticky chromosomes, C–mitosis, laggards, multipolar anaphases, chromosome bridge, micronucleated cells and polykaryocytes were not seen in dividing and non-dividing cells among roots grown at various concentrations of myrobalan. The present finding reveals that myrobalan does not exert any cytotoxic effects in Allium model

Prevention of Aluminium Chloride-Induced Mitodepression with Myrobalan (Fruit of \u3cem\u3eTerminalia chebula\u3c/em\u3e, Retz, Combretaceae) in \u3cem\u3eAllium cepa\u3c/em\u3e Model

Allium cepa bulbs were grown in pure tap water (Group I), in five concentrations (10-1M to 10-5M) of aluminium chloride in the absence (Group II) and in the presence (Group III) of myrobalan (fruit of Terminalia chebula) at a fix concentration of 0.10 mg/ml. Parameters of study were mean root length (after 72 hr) and mitotic index, abnormal mistosis, chromosomal aberrations and nucleolar morphology (after 48 hr). AlCl3 at all concentrations except at 10-1M where roots did not grew at all, significantly lowered root growth and mitotic index, effect appeared concentration dependent (Group II). In the presence of myrobalan (Group III) AlCl3 induced mitodepression could be checked significantly only at 10-4M and 10-5M. No morphological i.e. shape and colour changes, abnormal mitosis and any type of chromosomal aberrations could be detected in any group. AlCl3 induced hypertrophy of nucleoli at 10-2M-10-5M which could be remedied at 10-4M and 10-5M in (Group III). Probable toxic action of AlCl3 and possible protective role of myrobalan are discussed