Evaluation of the effects of 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide on Lathyrus sativus L.

Abstract

Abstract Background The effect of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cyclophosphamide (CP) on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) has been studied. Results The effect of the selected drugs on radicle length, colchicine induces polyploidy and in vitro callus growth has been studied (concentration used: 5-Fluorouracil—0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM; Cyclophosphamide—1, 10, 20 and 30 mM). The biochemical studies on superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidase activity also studied. Radicle length, polyploidy percentage and callus growth decrease in both the drugs in a dose-dependent manner. The SOD, catalase and LP activity decrease with the increase in drug concentration except for low dose (for 5FU—0.01 mM and 1 mM for CP). Induced polyploidy (Control B) than water germinated seedling (Control A) shows higher enzyme activity but a decrease in the increased dose of drugs. Conclusions The present work has been done to assess the effective potentiality of two anticancerous drugs 5FU and CP with an objective to establish plant system as a model for preliminary screening of anticancerous lead compounds. The result of the present work would pave the way for the screening of unknown lead compounds with the potentiality to act as base analogue and DNA cross-linking drugs. This system is faster, cost-effective and convenient than animal model.