Protective effect of lycopene on ethyl methane sulfonate induced chromosome aberrations in allium cepa

Abstract

In this study, whether lycopene has protective effect on chromosome aberrations or not was investigated. For this purpose, Allium cepa were treated with 4 different concentrations (1μM, 3 μM, 5 μM and 10 μM) of lycopene extracts for 24 h. Afterwards, plant roots were treated with 2 different concentrations (2x10−2M and 3x10−2M) Ethyl Methane Sulfonate for 2 h. 2x10−2M EMS and 3x10−2M EMS were used as positive control and tap water was used as negative control. Root tip meristematic cells were observed under the microscope. Mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (fragments, bridges, stickiness, polar deviation) and micronucleus formation were evaluated and statistically analyzed. As a result, it was determined that lycopene reduced mitotic index (MI) in treatment groups in comparison with controls. 3 μM, 5 μM lycopene doses reduced total chromosome aberrations in treatment groups in comparison with positive control (p<0,05). © 2006 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.