The Faculty of Pharmacy/University of Baghdad discussed the PhD dissertation entitled “Possible Genotoxic Effects of Two Different Doses of Leaf Extract of Vitex negundo on Bone Marrow Spleen and Peripheral Blood Cells of Mice” by Haider Mohammed Jabber and his supervisor, Assistant Professor Dr. Shihab Hattab Mutlag in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department. The study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of different extracts of vitex negundo leaves (ethyl acetate fraction, chloroform fraction, and methanol fraction) in two different doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for each extract on bone marrow cells, spleen cells, and peripheral blood cells of mice. The extract was given for seven consecutive days, comparing its effect with methotrexate, which was used as a positive control group. The study revealed that the mitotic index effect of the ethyl acetate fraction at both doses showed a significant increase in both bone marrow cells and spleen cells when compared to the negative control. Meanwhile, a significant reduction in mitotic index in comparison to the control micronucleus appearance and total chromosomal aberration in the ethyl acetate fraction at both doses showed a non-significant decrease in both bone marrow cells and spleen cells when compared to the negative control. Additionally, a significant increase in hemoglobin and a non-significant increase in total WBCs, RBCs, and platelet count were seen. Methotrexate caused a significant increase in micronucleus appearance, total chromosomal aberration, hemoglobin, and platelets, with a significant reduction in RBCs. The results also showed a significant elevation in hemoglobin (at a dose of 200 mg/kg), RBCs (at both doses), and a non-significant elevation of total WBCs and platelets. Methotrexate also caused a significant increase in micronucleus appearance, total chromosomal aberration, and platelet count, with a significant reduction in WBCs and a non-significant reduction of RBCs in hemoglobin. The study concluded that stepwise fractionation during extraction employing organic solvents of varying polarity provides a sufficient degree of separation of active ingredients contained in vitex negundo based on polarity. According to active components found in vitex negundo leaf, the three fractions (ethyl acetate fraction, chloroform fraction, and methanol fraction) have anti-clastogenic activity.
