| Popis: |
Genotoxicity relies to the ability of chemicals to damage the genetic information within a cell resulting in mutations which may lead to malignancies, while teratogenesis is the disturbed growth process involved in the production of a malformed neonate. Several medicinal plants as well as their constituents are potential genotoxic or teratogenic substances. In this chapter, we review African medicinal plants with such effects. We documented up to 33 plants collected in Africa having genotoxic effects on animal or bacterial systems. Other plants with potential teratogenic effects such as Rauwolfia vomitoria, Acanthus montanus, Garcinia kola, Manihot sp, and Treculia africana also are reported. Finally, we also discuss up to 36 teratogenic plants found in Africa but collected in other parts of the world such as India and Brazilia or the United States. |
