Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Evaluation of Aqueous Extract from Dry Fruits of Pistacia lentiscus L. on Allium cape L. Root Tip Cells

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Pistacia lentiscus L. is a Mediterranean plant used in medicine for various purposes. However, the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts prepared from its fruits require further investigation.

Aims: This work aimed to estimate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of an aqueous extract of dried Pistacia lentiscus L. fruits using the Allium cepa L. root tip assay.

Methods: Allium cepa L. root tips were exposed to four concentrations of the aqueous fruit extract (5, 10, 20, and 40 g/200 mL) and a negative control for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Cytotoxicity was assessed by determining the mitotic index, whereas genotoxicity was evaluated by recording the frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities. The effects of extract concentration and exposure time were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance.

Results: The mitotic index was lower in extract-treated groups than in the negative control, although the response was not consistently concentration-dependent. Values ranged from 34.72% to 46.81% in treated groups, compared with 42.77% to 53.30% in the control across the tested exposure periods. The lowest mitotic index (34.72%) was recorded at 10 g/200 mL after 24 h. Extract concentration (F = 8.897, p = 0.001) and exposure time (F = 7.998, p = 0.003) had significant effects on the mitotic index. Chromosomal abnormalities were not observed in the control groups but occurred in all extract-treated groups, with mean values ranging from 0.96 ± 0.52 to 2.68 ± 0.14. Chromosome stickiness was the predominant abnormality, while C-metaphase, lagging chromosomes, chromosomal bridges, and disturbed configurations were also observed. Significant effects of extract concentration (F = 31.729, p = 0.001) and exposure time (F = 4.436, p = 0.026) were also recorded for chromosomal abnormalities.

Conclusion: Under the experimental conditions examined, the aqueous extract of dried Pistacia lentiscus L. fruits was associated with reduced mitotic activity and the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities in Allium cepa L. root tip cells. Further investigations are needed to identify the constituents potentially responsible for these effects and to establish the biological safety of these preparations.