Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Methanol Extracts of Some Gypsophila L. Species

In this study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Gypsophila perfoliata L. var. perfoliata, Gypsophila perfoliata L. var. araratica Kit Tan, Gypsophila pilosa Hudson and Gypsophila osmangaziensis Ataşlar & Ocak plant extracts have been examined by using Allium Test method. Methanol extracts of plants have been prepared in 4 different concentrations (0.625 mg/ml, 1.250 mg/ml, 2.500 mg/ml and 5.000 mg/ml). After the onion roots were treated at these concentrations of plant extracts for 24 hours and 48 hours, mitosis preparations were prepared from these root tips. With the data being obtained by evaluating the preparations, mitotic index (%) and  chromosome aberration (%) values have been calculated. Distilled water has been used as control group. It was found out that mitotic index and chromosome aberration values of all species showed significant differences compared to control group in the extract concentration range of 1.250–5.000 mg/ml. It has been determined that the most widely observed chromosome aberrations were disturbed metaphase, sticky metaphase, c-metaphase, disturbed anaphase and anaphase bridge.