Antiproliferative effects and genotoxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica (L.)

Background Plumbago zeylanica is a shrub used in traditional medicine to cure a variety of human and animal diseases. Additionally, this plant species is employed to control mites in agricultural plantings. Communities have reported instances of toxicity impacting small livestock’s embryonic development. Cellular stress or genotoxic effects are frequently the cause of severe degenerative illness and may accompany this cytological activity. This study aims to assess how hydroethanolic extracts of P. zeylanica affect cell cycle and proliferation in relation to chromosomal mechanisms. Methods The antiproliferative activity of P. zeylanica extracts was evaluated using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model coupled with methylene blue staining. The genotoxicity of the extracts was performed using the Allium cepa model. Twelve Allium cepa bulbs were grown hydroponically for 48 hours in pots filled with distilled water such that the base of the main root was immersed in the liquid. The bulbs were then moved to different solutions of P. zeylanica extracts to be examined (20 mg/ml) for 24 hours. Positive controls included colchicine and cyclophosphamide. Results Significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity of P. zeylanica root and leaf extracts on S. cerevisiae was found by the antiproliferative assay. The extract concentrations (IC ₅₀ ) that killed 50% of the yeast were 2.74 mg/ml and 3.09 mg/ml, respectively. After a 24-hour treatment, both extracts significantly inhibited mitosis and resulted in chromosomal and nuclear abnormalities in Allium cepa root meristematic cells. The corresponding mitotic indices were 48.95 ± 0.53% for the leaf extract and 33.42 ± 1.24% for the root extract. Similarly, cells treated with root extract showed a substantial increase in binucleated cells (0.98 ± 0.01%), chromosome agglutinations (33.90 ± 0.57%), elongated cells (0.83 ± 0.00%), chromosome fragmentation (1.16 ± 0.07%), giant cells (2.17 ± 0.19%), and equatorial plate disorganization (0.17 ± 0.0%). The primary cytological abnormalities found in cells exposed to P. zeylanica leaf extract were chromosome agglutination (26.45 ± 0.34%), binucleated cells (0.13 ± 0.00%), elongated cells (0.34 ± 0.01%), and giant cells (1.67 ± 0.03%). Conclusions These two extracts of P. zeylanica showed cytotoxicity, significant cell cycle suppression and cytogenetic abnormalities. These markers of toxicity suggest that the P. zeylanica leaf and root extracts may have antiproliferative and genotoxicological effects.