Abstract

The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss were evaluated with the aid of the Allium test. The extract was found to exhibit mitoclassic and chromatoclassic effects. The abnormalities observed included: nuclear lesions, binucleate cells, prophase accumulation otherwise called prophase poison, sticky metaphase, star metaphase, metaphase c-banding, precocious chromosomes, lagging chromosomes, anaphase bridge, star anaphase, tripolar anaphase and sticky late anaphase. No abnormal cells were observed at telophase. The implications of these anomalies were also discussed. The results lend more support to the reports of several investigators on the urgent need to standardize the dosages of medicinal plant extracts for the treatment of various ailments.

Key words: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, leaf extract, Azadirachta indica.