TOXIC EFFECT OF ARSENIC TRIOXIDE (AS2O3) ON GENOTOXICITY AND CYTOTOXICITYv BY USE OF ALLIUM CEPA L.

Abstract

In the current study an attempt has been made to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of Arsenic trioxide on somatic cells of
Allium cepa. The Allium cepa (onion) bulbs were treated with different concentrations of Arsenic trioxide. The percentage
of mitotic index was found to be decreased significantly with the increasing Arsenic trioxide concentrations. The
chromosomal abnormalities were found to be increased as the Arsenic trioxide concentration increased when compared
to control. In the Arsenic treated root tips different types of chromosomal aberrations were observed. According to
present findings 100ppm concentration of the Arsenic was found to enhance the rate of cell division when compared to
control on the contrary higher concentration of Arsenic showed negative effects on mitotic division in somatic cells of
Allium cepa.