Abstract
Background: Utilization of Morinda lucida for the treatment of ailments such as malaria, diarrhea, infertility in women, and dysentery in many countries including Nigeria is on increase due to its efficiency, availability, and affordability. However, its cytogenotoxicity has not been elucidated. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and possible genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of M. lucida leaf extract in Swiss albino male mice using bone marrow micronucleus and sperm morphology assays. Methods: Plant materials was collected, thoroughly washed, and air-dried at room temperature prior to maceration. The extract was assessed for the presence of the phytochemical compounds. Swiss albino male mice (Mus musculus) (n=4) were treated with different concentrations of this extract (400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg) while distilled water was used as negative control. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract contains saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins. We observed micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) of 3.20%, 1.10%, and 1.95% at different concentrations of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg respectively in the treated animals. The result showed no significant increase in the frequency of abnormalities (p < 0.05) when compared to the negative control; however, in separate analysis of mono-micronucleated PCE and mono-micronucleated NCE per group, a significant increase at 400 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg concentrations was observed. The sperm anomalies decreased with increase in concentration. Conclusions: This study recommends 800 mg/kg concentration of the plant extract; however, it should be further and properly investigated as it contains some pharmaceutical components that can be used for pharmacological purposes.
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge Mr Bolu (Taxonomist) of Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, for his assistance in the identification of the plant.
Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval: This study was carried out following strictly the guidelines on care and use of laboratory animals of the Ethical Committee of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
References
[1] Harvey AL. Natural products in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today. 2008;13:894–901.10.1016/j.drudis.2008.07.004Search in Google Scholar
[2] Evans WC. Trease and Evans pharmacognosy, 15th ed. Edinburgh, New York: Saunders Company, 2002:297–298, 304.Search in Google Scholar
[3] Zimudzi C, Cardon D. Morinda lucida Benth; [Internet] Record from Protabase. PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) 2005, Available at: http://database.prota.org/search.html.Search in Google Scholar
[4] Adeneye AA, Agbaje EO. Pharmacological evaluation of fresh leaves ethanol extract of Morinda lucida Benth in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Afr J Biomed Res 2008;11:65–71.10.4314/ajbr.v11i1.50668Search in Google Scholar
[5] Fakoya A, Owojuyigbe OS, Fakoya S, Adeoye SO. Possible antimicrobial activity of Morinda lucida stem, bark, leaf and root extracts. Afr J Biotechnol 2014;13:471–5.10.5897/AJB10.1472Search in Google Scholar
[6] Igoli JO, Ogaji OG, Tor-Anyiin TA, Igoli NP. Traditional medicine practice amongst Igede People of Nigeria, part II, 2006.10.4314/ajtcam.v2i2.31112Search in Google Scholar
[7] Sofowora A. Phytochemical screening of medicinal plants and traditional medicine in Africa. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books Ltd, 1993.Search in Google Scholar
[8] TMS. 144th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Supplementary proceedings, Orlando, Wiley, Hoboken; 471–478. 2015.Search in Google Scholar
[9] Wyrobek AJ, Gordon LA, Burkhart JG, Francis MW, Letz Jr. G, Malling HV. An evaluation of the mouse sperm morphology test and other sperm tests in non-human mammals. A report of the US Environmental Protection Agency Gene-Tox Program. Mutat Res 1983;115:1–71.10.1016/0165-1110(83)90014-3Search in Google Scholar
[10] Lamming GE. Marshall’s physiology of reproduction, 4th ed, vol. 2. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1990:474–6.Search in Google Scholar
[11] Yinusa R, Akinsomisoye S, Toyin S. Antispermatogenic activity of Morinda lucida extract in male rats. Asian J Androl 2006;7:405–10.Search in Google Scholar
[12] Schmid W. The micronucleus test for cytogenetic analysis. In: Hollander A, editor. Chemical mutagens: principles and methods for their detection. Vol. 4. New York: Plenum Press, 1976:31–53.10.1007/978-1-4684-0892-8_2Search in Google Scholar
[13] Alabi OA, Bakare AA. Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of electronic waste leachates using animal bioassays. Toxicol Environ Chem 2011;93:1073–88.10.1080/02772248.2011.561949Search in Google Scholar
[14] Bakare AA, Alabi OA, Adetunji OA, Hafeez BJ. Genotoxicity assessment of a pharmaceutical effluent using four bioassays. Genet Mol Biol 2009;32:373–81.10.1590/S1415-47572009000200026Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
[15] Rosidah Y, Yam MF, Sadikun A, Ahmad M, Akowuah GA, Asmawi MZ. Toxicology evaluation of standardized methanol extract of Gynura procumbens. J Ethnopharmacol 2009;123:244–9.10.1016/j.jep.2009.03.011Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[16] Rodeiro I, Cancino L, Gonzalez JE, Morffi J, Garrido G, Gonzalez RM, et al. Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang), a new natural product with antioxidant activity. Food Chem Tox 2006;44:1707–13.10.1016/j.fct.2006.05.009Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[17] Adejo GO, Atawodi SE. Acute toxicity and genotoxic effects of all parts of Morinda lucida Benth on pUC18 plasmid DNA. Nat Prod Chem Res 2014;S1:006. doi:10.4172/2329-6836.S1-006.10.4172/2329-6836.S1-006Search in Google Scholar
[18] Rojas E, Herrera LA, Sordo M, Gonsebatt ME, Montero R, Rodriguez R. Mitotic index and cell proliferation kinetics for identification of antineoplastic activity. Anticancer Drug 1993;4:637–40.10.1097/00001813-199312000-00005Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[19] Ogunlana OE, Ogunlana O, Farombi OE. Morinda lucida: antioxidant and reducing activities of crude methanolic stem bark extract. Adv Nat Appl Sci 2008;2:49–54.Search in Google Scholar
[20] Wyrobek AJ, Bruce WR. Chemical induction of sperm abnormalities in mice. Proc Nati Acad Sci 1975;72:4425–9.10.1073/pnas.72.11.4425Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
[21] Ito C, Suzuki-Toyota F, Maekawa M, Toyama Y, Yao R, Noda T, et al. Failure to assemble the peri-nuclear structures in GOPC deficient spermatids as found in round-headed spermatozoa. Arch Histol Cytol 2004;67:349–60.10.1679/aohc.67.349Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[22] Raji Y, Udoh US, Mewoyeka OO, Ononye FC Bolarinwa AF. Implication of reproductive endocrine malfunction in male antifertility efficacy of Azadirachta indica extracts in rats. Afr J Med Sci 2003;32:159–65.Search in Google Scholar
[23] Raji Y, Akinsomisoye OS, Salman TM. Antispermatogenic activity of Morinda lucida extract in male rats. Asian J Androl 2005;2:405–10.10.1111/j.1745-7262.2005.00051.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed
[24] Bolognesi C, Perrone E, Roggieri P, Pampanin DM, Sciutto A. Assessment of micronuclei induction in peripheral erythrocytes of fish exposed to xenobiotics under controlled conditions. Aquat Toxicol 2006;78:93–8.10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.02.015Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[25] Adeleye OO, Ayeni OJ, Ajamu MA. Traditional and medicinal uses of Morinda lucida. J Med Plants Studies 2018;6:249–54.Search in Google Scholar
[26] Lara LV, Pasqualotto EB, Borges Jr. E, Braga DPAF, Salvador M, Pasqualotto FF. Flavonoids may increase semen quality in infertile men with oligospermia? Fertil Steril 2008;90(Suppl):S190–1. DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.675.Search in Google Scholar
[27] Liwa AC, Barton EN, Cole WC, Nwokocha CR. Bioactive plant molecules, sources and mechanism of action in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacognosy 2017;315–36.10.1016/B978-0-12-802104-0.00015-9Search in Google Scholar
© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
