Anti-haemolytic and cytogenotoxic potential of aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata (L.) and its bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is widely gaining worldwide application in biology and medicine because of its proven efficacy. Annona muricata contains bioactive phytochemicals with an inherent ability to bio-fabricate metal ions nanoparticles (NPs). Annona muricata aqueous leaf extract and its green bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles were evaluated on red blood cells (RBC) for anti-haemolytic activity and cytogenotoxicity on Allium cepa cells. The effects of A. muricata extract (Am-E) and its biofabricated silver nanoparticles (Am-AgNPs) were observed at 0.7, 7.0 and 70.0 ug/ml on H2O2-induced haemolysis in RBC and cyclophosphamide-induced cytogenotoxicity on A. cepa cells. Results showed significant and concentration dependent anti-haemolytic activity of Am-E relative to Am-AgNPs. Significant (P<0.05) reduction of mitotic index was observed in the groups treated with Am-AgNPs compared with Am-E, which indicates cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles. The Am-E protected A. cepa meristem root cells from cyclophosphamide-induced mitotic repression better than Am-AgNPs. Different degree of chromosomal abnormalities such as chromosome-bridge, sticky chromosome, and c-mitosis were observed in all the treatment groups with chromosome-bridge and sticky chromosome being prominent. This study revealed stronger anti-haemolytic efficacy of Am-E at higher concentrations compared with Am-AgNPs. Chromosomal abnormalities observed in this study suggest greater chromosomal instability as influenced by the nanoparticles compared with the extract on onion cells. The protective effect of the extract against cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal aberrations may be an indication of its potential as an anti-genotoxic agent.