Planta Med 1987; 53(3): 251-253
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-962694
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Chromosomenschädigende Wirkung von β-Asaron in menschlichen Lymphocyten

Chromosome Damaging Effect on Human Lymphocytes by β-AsaroneGudrun Abel
  • Institut für Botanik und Pharmazeutische Biologie der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, D-8520 Erlangen, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
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Publication History

1986

Publication Date:
24 January 2007 (online)

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.