An allelopathic substance isolated from Zanthoxylum limonella Alston fruit

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of the Zanthoxylum limonella Alston fruits led to the isolation of a phenolic compound named xanthoxyline. The allelopathic effects of xanthoxyline were evaluated on Chinese amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) and Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.) under laboratory conditions. At a concentration of 2500 μM, xanthoxyline completely inhibited seed germination and growth of Chinese amaranth, while this compound showed a significantly inhibitory effect on seed germination of Barnyardgrass by 43.59% and inhibited shoot and root length by 71.56% and 87.48%, respectively. To determine the mechanism through which xanthoxyline exerts its toxicity, the cytogenetic bioassay was conducted. Roots of Allium cepa L. (onion) were treated with a series of concentrations, ranging from 15.625 to 125 μM for 18 h. Cytogenetic studies of onion roots showed a decrease of the mitotic index in the exposed roots dependent on the concentration of xanthoxyline. Likewise, the mitotic phase index was altered in onion incubated with xanthoxyline. Analyses of the abbreviation types showed spindle disturbances at late prophase, sticky metaphase, c-mitosis, non-oriented chromosome at metaphase, sticky anaphase, delayed anaphase and diagonal at telophase for the onion roots exposed to xanthoxyline.     

The impact of sodium chloride on root growth,cell division,and interphase silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in root tip cells of Allium cepa L.

To evaluate genetic damage, parameters including root growth, chromosomal aberrations, and interphase silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in root tip cells of Allium cepa L. were investigated after treatment with NaCl (40–160 mM). The results showed that NaCl caused a decrease in root growth. All concentrations of NaCl showed an inhibitory effect on dividing cells in root tips of A. cepa L. and caused a reduction in mitotic index values. Upon exposure to NaCl, roots exhibited various mitotic abnormalities, including c-mitosis, anaphase bridge, and chromosome stickiness. In addition, interphase cells with micronuclei, budding nuclei, and unequal-sized nuclei were observed. Moreover, total cell aberration increased with increasing NaCl concentration. For AgNOR parameters, the average number of AgNORs per nucleus decreased in roots treated at all NaCl concentrations. The singular AgNOR area and whole AgNOR area in the nucleus containing 1–3 AgNORs were inversely proportional to NaCl concentrations.