SEINO Richard Akwanjoh1, ENDUM Lucas Akacha1, NGYANYIYI Abdoul2

  1. Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology & Orthopterology (LAGTO), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili- Bamenda, Cameroon.
  • Applied Biology and Ecology Research Unit (URBEA), Department of Animal Biology,

Faculty of Science, University of Dschang. P.O. Box 57 Dschang, West Region, Cameroon.

ABSTRACT

Purpose:  In Cameroon, the African walnut Tetracarpidium conophorum is used in the traditional treatment of prostate cancer. The antimitotic activity of this nut is yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antimitotic activities of this African walnut Tetracarpidium conophorum since cancer is a disease of mitosis.

Methods: Five aqueous extracts of boiled nuts were used to investigate the antimitotic properties of Tetracarpidium conophorum by the Allium cepa assay. Percentage sprouting and growth of roots of treated A. cepa were measured and compared to the control which was water. Mitotic index, mitotic inhibition index and chromosomal abnormalities were determined on treatment of A. cepa bulbs with various aqueous concentrations of Tetracarpidium conophorum.

Statistical analysis: The Student’s t test and the SPSS 15.0 statistical package was use for the analysis.

Results: Aqueous extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum inhibited root sprouting and growth in A. cepa. Inhibition was proportional to concentration of aqueous extract and was greater than 50% at 30% concentration of the extract. Chromosomal abnormalities recorded included bridges, laggards, ghost cells, chromosome fragments and Anaphase vagrants.

Conclusion: Our findings show cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of these concentrations of GA and indicate that the difference among control and treatment groups were statistically significant. Therefore, Tetracarpidium conophorum possesses antimitotic properties and henceis a potential anticancer agent that require further studies and development.

Key words: Tetracarpidium conophorum, Mitotic Index, Mitotic Inhibition, Chromosomal abnormalities, Allium cepa.  

SEINO Richard Akwanjoh1&2, ENDUM Lucas AKACHA1, NGYANYIYI Abdoul2

  1. Laboratory for Genetic Toxicology & Orthopterology (LAGTO), Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili- Bamenda, Cameroon.
  • Applied Biology and Ecology Research Unit (URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang. P.O. Box 57 Dschang, West Region, Cameroon.

ABSTRACT

Background: Many bioactive substances in plants have the potentials to affect physiological processes in both plants and animals. One of the most common tests used in the evaluation of antimitotic and antiproliferation properties of plant extracts is the Allium cepa assay.

Aim:

This study was aimed to screen the seeds of P. nigrum, a common spice used in Cameroonian cuisines, for antiproliferative and antimitotic properties to and hence confirm their anticancer activity.

Materials and Methods:

Onion bulbs were treated to various concentration of the water extracts of dried seeds of P. nigrum for 72 hours. To determine the antiproliferative and antimitotic effects of the extracts, the onion bulbs were examined for sprouting of new roots, growth in length of the roots, mitotic indices and chromosomal abnormalities.

Results and conclusion:

The extracts were antiproliferative and antimitotic to the roots of A. cepa. The number of roots sprouted, the length of the roots and mitotic index (MI) significantly decreased with increase in concentration of the extract. Chromosomal aberrations such as chromosome bridges, chromosome laggards, chromosome stickiness and vagrants were recorded indicating the cytogenotoxic nature of the extracts.  

Key words: Antiproliferative, Antimitotic, water extract, P. nigrum seeds, allium cepa.

 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,  University of Malawi, Chirunga Road, ZombaMalawi, University of MALAWI

Abstract

This study was carried out in the city of Zomba which happen to be the formal capita of Malawi. Three rivers where selected which are: Likangala, Mulunguzi and the Domasi river with each of the rivers having particular characteristics. The Likangala catchment is affected by increasing population which has resulted in urban sprawl. It also originates on Zomba Plateau and flows into Mulunguzi Dam which provides water to Zomba city. The Domasi River collect all the effluent from Domasi market and prison. Generally, 9 sampling stations were studied in 3 streams of the Zomba urban town and a total of 98 taxa were identified, in which 96 were identified to the species or generic level and 2 to the family level. These taxa belong to 3 phyla (Arthropods, Mollusca and Annelids), 4 classes (Crustaceans, Insects, Gastropods and Achaeta), 12 orders and 50 families. Arthropods are the most diversified with 2 classes, 9 orders, 49 families and 92 morphotypes. There are followed by Mollusca with a single class, order, family and 3 morphotyps. The Annelids has just a single family with 2 species. The class of Insects in the most represented with 90 morphotypes divided into 8 orders and 46 families. The Mollusca have 3 species in 2 families and 1 order while the Annelids showed 2 species in a single family. The class of crustaceans had just a single family and species. Of the 8 orders identified in the class of insects, that of Hemiptera is the most represented with 27 taxa and 11 families, it was followed by the Diptera (19 taxa and 7 families), Coleoptera (16 taxa in 7 families), Trichoptera (9 taxa and 9 families), Odonata (8 taxa and 5 families), Ephemeroptera (6 taxa and 5 families) and finally we have the Plecoptera and Aquatic Lepidoptera with just 1 taxon and family each.  

Key words: Biodiversity, macroinvertebrates, abiotic factors, three streams, Malawi.