Abstract
β-Asarone is a characteristic component of the volatile oil of Acorus calamus. Effects on chromosomes were studied in human lymphocyte cultures as a result of treatment by β-asarone. The tests were performed with and without the addition of liver microsomes from rats. A very strong effect on the induction of structural chromosome aberrations was found after metabolic activation; multiple damaged cells occurred. In addition, a slight increase in the rate of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) was observed. Our results demonstrate clearly the genotoxic potency of β-asarone and hence emphasize the demand that only acorus with low content of β-asarone should be used.
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