Tetracarpidium conophorum (AFRICAN WALNUT) HUTCH. & DALZIEL: ANTIMITOTIC ACTIVITIES OF WATER EXTRACTS USING THE Allium cepa ASSAY

by

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.