ABSTRACT
Pogostemon auricularius is an aromatic herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Objectives: In the present study we have utilized the Allium cepa root tip meristem model to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimitotic potential of P. auricularius. Methods: The roots of Allium cepa were exposed to different concentrations of the aqueous leaf extracts (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5%), for four different time durations, using distilled water as the control. Results: Chromosome anomalies including formation of sticky chromosomes, chromosome bridges and several other metaphasic and anaphasic disorders were induced by all the extract concentrations. Conclusions: Mitotic index was found to be decreasing, which was concentration dependent. All the extracts induced lowering of the mitotic index when compared to the distilled water control.