Antimitotic and cytotoxic effects of <i>Clerodendrum indicum</i> leaf aqueous extract in <i>Allium cepa</i> root tip cells

Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze. (Family Lamiaceae, common name: bamunhati) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the antimitotic and cytotoxic effects of leaf aqueous extract of C. indicum (LAECi) in Allium cepa root tip cells. Root tips of A. cepa were treated with varying concentrations up to 8 mg/mL of LAECi for 2 to 48 h and root growth retardation, mitotic index (MI) reduction, and the occurrence of cellular abnormalities such as hyperchromasia, nuclear lesion, nuclear erosion, and giant cells were analyzed. The results showed that LAECi induced a concentration- and time-dependent root growth retardation, MI reduction, and the formation of diverse cellular abnormalities. Thus, this study explores the antimitotic and cytotoxic effects of LAECi on A. cepa root tip cells.