Cytostatic and genotoxic effects of Dracontium loretense infusion in the cell cycle of Allium cepa L.

Vasquez-Vargas M.; Rodriguez N. · Pharmacological Research - Natural Products (2025) · DOI: 10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100415

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the time- and dose-dependent cytostatic and genotoxic effects of Dracontium loretense infusion (DLI), a plant traditionally used in Peruvian folk medicine for its purported anticancer properties. Material and methods: An experimental study was conducted using 30 Allium cepa L. (ACL) bulbs, divided into three groups (n = 10 bulbs/group): a negative control (drinking water), DLI at 0.5 g/dL (A1), and DLI at 1.0 g/dL (A2). Following a 5-day (120-h) exposure with daily renewal of the test solutions, apical root meristems were prepared for microscopic analysis. The Mitotic Index (MI), phase distribution, and cellular abnormalities were assessed daily. The statistical significance of the effects of treatment and time on MI was determined using a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's HSD post-hoc test. Results: DLI treatment induced a profound and statistically significant reduction in the MI compared to the control group (Control: 6.50 ± 0.25 %; A1: 1.06 ± 0.61 %; A2: 1.11 ± 0.12 %; p < 0.001). This represented an average mitotic inhibition of 82.9 %. Additionally, apex thickening was evidenced in rootlets of DLI groups, which showed aggregation of non-meristematic cells in the interphase. Conclusions: The aqueous infusion of D. loretense exhibits potent, non-dose-dependent cytostatic and genotoxic activity in the A. cepa model. These effects are consistent with the known biological activities of its phytochemical constituents, particularly ceramides and oxylipins. These findings provide scientific validation for the ethnobotanical use of D. loretense and establish it as a promising candidate for further bioassay-guided fractionation to identify novel anticancer agents.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo