| Summary: | The use of Chamomilla recutita as a tranquilizing, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic tea is based on the empirical knowledge of medicinal plants. This work aims at assessing the mutagenic and antimutagenic potential –by means of the Allium cepatest –of an infusion of dry chamomile leaves. Eleven trials were conducted, with four replicates each, as such: T1 –negative control; T2 –paracetamol, 800mg L-1(positive control); T3 –chamomile in the usual dose, 12g L-1; T4 –60g L-1of chamomile; T5 –120g L-1of chamomile;T6 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and chamomile12g L-1; T7 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and chamomile 60g L-1; T8 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and chamomile120g L-1; T9 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and, 24 hours later, chamomile 12g L-1; T10 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and, 24 hours later, chamomile 60g L-1; T11 –paracetamol 800mg L-1and,24 hours later, chamomile 120g L-1.It was found that both the 12g L-1infusion and the stronger ones significantly reduced the mitotic index. In regard to mitotic anomalies, only T11 was significantly increased relative to T1 (p=0.012). All trials increased the frequency of interphase anomalies in a significant way (p<0.018),thus also showing an increase in the total of anomalies (p<0.018). Such results show that chamomile had a cytotoxic effect and protects against the positive control, on meristematic cells of Allium cepa.
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