El extracto acuoso de Retama sphaerocarpa induce daño citotóxico y genotóxico en células meristemáticas de Allium sativum

The ingestion of aqueous extracts from medicinal plants is frequently used in Mexico to treat various diseases. Retama sphaerocarpa (R. sphaerocarpa) is a medicinal plant. However, there needs to be more information about its toxic potential. For this reason, the present study evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and cytostatic effects of the aqueous extract of R. sphaerocarpa using meristematic cells of Allium sativum (A. Sativum). Root primordia from A. sativum bulblets were exposed for 72 h to 5 g/L or 10 g/L of R. sphaerocarpa aqueous extract. Root length, presence of chromosomal aberrations and mitotic division rate were determined. The results indicate that the aqueous extract of R. sphaerocarpa (5 g/L or 10 g/L) induces cytotoxic, genotoxic, and cytostatic damage predicting its possible toxicity and evidence of possible health risks associated with its consumption.