Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Life and Health Sciences

Keywords

Ficus nota, genotoxicity, ethanol leaf and fruit extract, Allium cepa bioassay

Abstract

Genotoxicity refers to the property of a substance to induce damage or modification to the genetic material of cells, which is associated with carcinogens, birth defects, and genetic diseases. Ficus nota has broad medical applications, but species within its genus have been found to be genotoxic. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of Ficus nota aqueous extract using the Allium cepa bioassay through parameters of mitotic index, nuclear abnormalities, and chromosomal aberrations. The study involved ethanolic extraction of Ficus nota leaves and fruit, which were prepared into 10, 100, and 1000 ppm exposure media. Onion root tips were exposed for 48 hours and prepared on slides using the squash technique. Data gathered from the microscopic analysis of mitotic index, nuclear abnormalities, and chromosomal aberrations was recorded and subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results reveal that only the high dosage (1000ppm) of Ficus nota fruit extract exhibited a clear antimitotic effect. The dominant form of nuclear abnormality is multiple nuclear erosions, with a percentage occurrence of 45.53%, closely followed by nuclear lesions at 36.32%, both of which are tightly linked to cytological stress and membrane instability. Meanwhile, the dominant form of chromosomal aberration is chromosomal gaps, with a percentage occurrence of 25.20%, indicating potential interference with chromosomal integrity causing genomic instability. This study also found that nuclear abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations showed a plateau effect, wherein lower dosages of the fruit and leaf extracts were sufficient to induce damage to genetic material, but increasing the dose did not enhance the effect. These results suggest that aqueous extracts of Ficus nota leaves and fruits, at concentrations of 10 ppm, 100 ppm, and 1000 ppm, cause statistically significant increases in nuclear abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations. This study concludes that Ficus nota exhibits genotoxic effects through the Allium cepa bioassay.

First Advisor

Nicole B. Marin

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