Effect of Adhatoda vasica (L.) Nees. Leaf Extract Prepared by two Different Methods on Mitosis of Root Meristematic Cells of Allium cepa L.

Adhatoda vasica is a well-known plant drug in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Adhatoda leaves have been used extensively in Ayurvedic Medicine primarily for respiratory disorders. Aqueous leaf extract of A. vasica was used to investigate its cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on root meristematic cells of Allium cepa. 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations of leaf extract prepared by two different ways were used in the present study. It was found that leaf extract of A. vasica exhibits mitodepressive activity as well as it induces disorder of chromosome kinetic including formation of sticky chromosome, c-metaphase, metaphasic and anaphasic disorders in Allium cepa root meristem