Research Article

Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells

Volume: 7 Number: 1 June 29, 2026

Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells

Abstract

This study was conducted using the Allium cepa L. test system to determine the possible physiological and cytogenetic effects of Aloe vera L. (ALV) leaf gel extract against the toxicity induced by nitric acid (HNO₃), a strong oxidizing agent. In terms of germination percentage, the ALV1 (10%) and ALV2 (20%) groups exhibited results similar to the control group. However, the marked decrease in germination percentage observed following HNO₃ exposure was significantly improved in the HNO₃ALV1 (10%) and HNO₃ALV2 (20%) combination groups, indicating the mitigating role of Aloe vera gel in suppressing toxic effects. Furthermore, compared with the HNO₃-treated group, significant increases in root length and fresh weight were observed in the HNO₃ALV1 (10%) and HNO₃ALV2 (20%) groups. With respect to the mitotic index (MI), the HNO₃ALV1 (10%) group showed a higher MI value than the HNO₃ALV2 (20%) group, suggesting that increasing the concentration of Aloe vera gel may exert an inhibitory effect on mitotic activity. Similarly, the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and micronucleus. MN was lower in the HNO₃ALV1 (10%) group compared to the HNO₃ALV2 (20%) group. Nonetheless, both combinations significantly reduced MN formation and chromosomal abnormalities compared to HNO₃ treatment alone, indicating a protective and antigenotoxic effect. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that Aloe vera gel extract, when applied at appropriate concentrations, has the potential to act as a bioprotective agent by alleviating HNO₃-induced genotoxicity and physiological impairments in Allium cepa root meristem cells.

Keywords

References

  1. Abid A, Javed M, Zafar S, Hamdani SAZ, Shah SHBU, Abid J, Ahmad AMR (2025) The green healer: an updated review on the phytochemical profile and therapeutic potential of Aloe vera. Front Nutr. 30;12:1689700. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1689700.
  2. Al-Tamimi M, Al-Massarani SM, El-Gamal AA, Basudan OA, Abdel-Kader MS, Abdel-Mageed WM (2020) Vacillantins a and B, new Anthrone C-glycosides, and a new Dihydroisocoumarin glucoside from Aloe vacillans and its antioxidant activities. Plants. 9:1632. doi: 10.3390/plants9121632
  3. Akinboro A, Aisha J (2021) Antigenotoxic potential of gel extract of Aloe vera against Sodium azide genotoxicity in Allium cepa cells. ournal of Medicinal Herbs and Ethnomedicine7:1-5. doi:10.25081/jmhe.2021.v7.6309http://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/jmhe Anil S, Ankit A, Nagalakshmi NC (2015) Aloe vera as traditionalmedicinal plant: a review on its active constituents, biological andtherapeutic effects. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(6):2146-2161.
  4. Berti AP, Palioto GF, Rocha CLMSC (2016) Antimutagenicity and antigenotoxicity ofAloe arborescens Miller and Aloe barbadensis Miller in Aspergillus nidulans and Wistar rats. Genetics and Molecular Research, 2:15(3) https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr.15038522.
  5. Bozzi A, Perrin C, Austin S, Arce Vera F (2007) Quality and authenticity of commercial aloe vera gel powders. Food Chem. 103(1):22–30.doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.05.061.
  6. Coats BC (1979) Hypollergenic stabilized aloe vera gel. US Patent number 4 178 172.
  7. Çavuşoğlu D, Tabur S, Çavuşoğlu K (2015) The Effects of Aloe vera L. Leaf Extract on SomePhysiological and Cytogenetical Parameters in Allium cepa L. Seeds Germinated under Salt Stress. Cytologia 81(1): 103–110.
  8. Davis RH (1997) Aloe vera- A scientific approach. New York: Vantage Press Inc; pp 290–306.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Cell and Molecular Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 29, 2026

Submission Date

December 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

APA
Uzun Akgeyik, A. (2026). Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells. Bulletin of Biotechnology, 7(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.51539/biotech.1849205
AMA
1.Uzun Akgeyik A. Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells. Bull. Biotechnol. 2026;7(1):1-8. doi:10.51539/biotech.1849205
Chicago
Uzun Akgeyik, Aytül. 2026. “Protective Effects of Aloe Vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium Cepa Cells”. Bulletin of Biotechnology 7 (1): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.51539/biotech.1849205.
EndNote
Uzun Akgeyik A (June 1, 2026) Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells. Bulletin of Biotechnology 7 1 1–8.
IEEE
[1]A. Uzun Akgeyik, “Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells”, Bull. Biotechnol., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–8, June 2026, doi: 10.51539/biotech.1849205.
ISNAD
Uzun Akgeyik, Aytül. “Protective Effects of Aloe Vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium Cepa Cells”. Bulletin of Biotechnology 7/1 (June 1, 2026): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.51539/biotech.1849205.
JAMA
1.Uzun Akgeyik A. Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells. Bull. Biotechnol. 2026;7:1–8.
MLA
Uzun Akgeyik, Aytül. “Protective Effects of Aloe Vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium Cepa Cells”. Bulletin of Biotechnology, vol. 7, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 1-8, doi:10.51539/biotech.1849205.
Vancouver
1.Aytül Uzun Akgeyik. Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells. Bull. Biotechnol. 2026 Jun. 1;7(1):1-8. doi:10.51539/biotech.1849205