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.
