Evaluation of genotoxicity potential of plants traditionally used for mosquito control in Kenya’s South coast

Abstract

Plants are widely used for control of mosquitoes in Kenya but there is little documentation on effects of their long term use. Six plants used traditionally for mosquito control in Kenya’s south coast were evaluated for their genotoxicity potential using the Allium cepa test. The plants were Tagetus minuta L., Adansonia digitata Linn., Ocimum suave, Plectranthus barbatus A., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Lantana camara L. The plant extracts were assessed for mitotic index, early anaphases, chromosomal bridges/fragments, stickiness and c-mitosis. Leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica induced mitotic inhibition, produced binucleate and ghost cells in the allium cepa root meristems. Among the normal cells in the extracts of P.berbatus, there were cells which had a high cytoplasm: nucleus ratio including a bulging cytoplasm. The plants in this study may be used for topical application but Azadirachta indica should not be used systemically and continuously for long periods.