Mitotic disrupters from higher plants have been studied for their effects on animal cells, but their effects on plant cells have been studied less. The plant-derived compounds have counterparts among herbicides with respect to cellular effects and, in some cases, mode of action. Cellular effects in common are arrested prometaphases (colchicine, dinitroanilines), multipolar divisions (Vinca alkaloids, carbamates), and production of binucleate cells (caffeine, dichlobenil). The potential of these natural compounds, either directly or as the basis of new chemistries for herbicides, has remained largely untapped.
