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