Cytogenetic and Cytotoxic Studies on the Effect of Phytoinvestigated Active Compounds of Hyoscyamus niger (in vivo and ex vivo)

 In this study, different extracts of Hyoscyamus niger were detected using different chemical methods. Alkaloids were represented the major compound in thus plant, this, it selected for further study. Genetic effects of alkaloidal extract on mice were determined using several parameters such as mitotic index (MI); micronuclei assay (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs). The results showed increasing mitotic index and decreasing the spontaneous frequency of chromosomal aberrations and
micronuclei. On the other hand, the free radicals scavenging activity of seven fractions of alkaloidal extract were evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Only one fraction of alkaloidal extract exhibited moderate free radical scavenging activity in comparison with the positive and negative controls. The cytotoxic activity of different concentrations of alkaloidal extract of H. niger on cancer cell lines (Hep-2, AMN-3, RD) estimated at various period of incubation (24, 48, or
72hrs).The effect of this extract was time and concentration-dependant. Remarkably, alkaloidal extract at 1000 µg\ml achieved a significant cytotoxicity on Hep-2 after 72 hrs of incubation period. Furthermore, viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxic effects of this extract on other types of cell lines (PC-3, HepG2, A549 and WRL68), obtained from Malaysia centre for natural product research and drug discovery(MCNPRD), university of Malaya, It was noticed that low decrease in cell viability of cell lines used above. In addition, the apoptotic activity of this extract on cancer cells A549 and PC-3 were examined by using multiparameter 3 kits; it was observed a changing in nuclear size, morphology, and cell membrane permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential and releasing of cytochrome C.