STUDY OF ANTIMITOTIC ACTIVITY OF MURRAYA KOENIGII BY USING ALLIUM CEPA ROOT TIP ASSAY

S. G. Patil*, P. S. Patil, V. R. Patil and R. A. Ahirrao

ABSTRACT

Objective: Cancer is a dreadful disease and combating this disease is of great importance to public health. Phytochemical examination has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular as sources of plausible anticancer compounds. In the present study we have utilized the Allium cepa root tip meristem model to evaluate antimitotic activities of leaves Murraya koenigii commonly known as Curry leaves belongs to family rutaceae. Methods: Preliminary antimitotic screening was done using Allium cepa root tip assay. The herbal powder obtained from plant part-dry leaves of Murraya koenigii were extracted with aqueous solvents by maceration methods. The antimitotic activity was analysed using Allium cepa root and Methotrexate was used as a standard drugs. Result and Discussion: In Allium assay, aqueous extract of leaves of Murraya koenigii (10 mg/ml) and Methotrexate shows showed significant concentration dependant inhibitory influence against the dividing cells of Allium roots and decreased root growth and mitotic index as compared to control distilled water. The results indicated the cytotoxic potential of extract due to antimitotic effects. The effect may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds in Curry leaves extract. Conclusion: The present work revealed that leaves of Murraya koenigii contains some important chemical constituents extracted using aqueous as solvent that can be used further in the management of cancer treatment.

Keywords: Allium cepa, Murraya koenigii, rutaceae, maceration, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds.