Mutagenicity of trans-anethole, estragole, eugenol, and safrole in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium assay

A 13-week comprehensive toxicity study with adductome analysis demonstrates the toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of the natural flavoring agent elemicin

Elemicin, an alkenylbenzene flavoring, exists naturally in foods, herbs, and spices. Some alkenylbenzenes are hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic in rodents. However, few studies have examined the toxicology of elemicin. In the current study, we comprehensively evaluated the general toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of elemicin using gpt delta rats and DNA adductome analysis. Groups of 10 male F344 gpt delta rats were treated with elemicin by gavage at a dose of 0, 25, 100, or 400 mg/kg bw/day for 13 weeks. Liver weights were significantly increased with histopathological changes in groups receiving 100 mg/kg bw/day or more. Significant increases in serum hepatotoxic parameters were observed in the 400 mg/kg bw/day group. Based on the observed changes in liver weights, 18.6 mg/kg bw was identified as the low benchmark dose. Significant increases in the number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci and gpt mutant frequencies were apparent only in the 400 mg/kg/day group, although elemicin-specific DNA adducts were detected from the lowest dose, suggesting that elemicin exhibited hepatocarcinogenicity in rats only at higher doses. Because elemicin showed no mutagenicity at lower doses, there was an adequate safety margin between the acceptable daily intake and the estimated daily intake of elemicin.

From plants to antimicrobials: Natural products against bacterial membranes

Bacterial membrane barrier provides a cytoplasmic environment for organelles of bacteria. The membrane is composed of lipid compounds containing phosphatide protein and a minimal amount of sugars, and is responsible for intercellular transfers of chemicals. Several antimicrobials have been found that affect bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. These compounds generally disrupt the organization of the membrane or perforate it. By destroying the membrane, the drugs can permeate and replace the effective macromolecules necessary for cell life. Furthermore, they can disrupt electrical gradients of the cells through impairment of the membrane integrity. In recent years, considering the spread of microbial resistance and the side effects of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial compounds have been studied by researchers extensively. These molecules are the best alternative for controlling bacterial infections and reducing drug resistance due to the lack of severe side effects, low cost of production, and biocompatibility. Better understanding of the natural compounds' mechanisms against bacteria provides improved strategies for antimicrobial therapies. In this review, natural products with antibacterial activities focusing on membrane damaging mechanisms were described. However, further high-quality research studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of these natural products.

Bioactivation of estragole and anethole leads to common adducts in DNA and hemoglobin

Estragole and anethole are secondary metabolites occurring in a variety of commonly used herbs like fennel, basil, and anise. Estragole is genotoxic and carcinogenic in rodents, which depends on the formation of 1'-sulfoxyestragole after hydroxylation and subsequent sulfoconjugation catalyzed by CYP and SULT, respectively. It was hypothesized recently that anethole may be bioactivated via the same metabolic pathways. Incubating estragole with hepatic S9-fractions from rats and humans, specific adducts with hemoglobin (N-(isoestragole-3-yl)-valine, IES-Val) and DNA (isoestragole-2'-deoxyguanosine and isoestragole-2'-deoxyadenosine) were formed. An isotope-dilution technique was developed for the quantification of IES-Val after cleavage with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) according to a modified Edman degradation. The same adducts, albeit at lower levels, were also detected in reactions with anethole, indicating the formation of 3'-hydroxyanethole and the reactive 3'-sulfoxyanethole. Finally, we conducted a pilot investigation in which IES-Val levels in human blood were determined during and after the consumption of an estragole- and anethole-rich fennel tea for four weeks. A significant increase of IES-Val levels was observed during the consumption phase and followed by a continuous decrease during the washout period. IES-Val may be used to monitor the internal exposure to the common reactive genotoxic metabolites of estragole and anethole, 1'-sulfoxyestragole and 3'-sulfoxyanethole, respectively.

Evaluation of Interindividual Human Variation in Bioactivation and DNA Adduct Formation of Estragole in Liver Predicted by Physiologically Based Kinetic/Dynamic and Monte Carlo Modeling

Estragole is a known hepatocarcinogen in rodents at high doses following metabolic conversion to the DNA-reactive metabolite 1'-sulfooxyestragole. The aim of the present study was to model possible levels of DNA adduct formation in (individual) humans upon exposure to estragole. This was done by extending a previously defined PBK model for estragole in humans to include (i) new data on interindividual variation in the kinetics for the major PBK model parameters influencing the formation of 1'-sulfooxyestragole, (ii) an equation describing the relationship between 1'-sulfooxyestragole and DNA adduct formation, (iii) Monte Carlo modeling to simulate interindividual human variation in DNA adduct formation in the population, and (iv) a comparison of the predictions made to human data on DNA adduct formation for the related alkenylbenzene methyleugenol. Adequate model predictions could be made, with the predicted DNA adduct levels at the estimated daily intake of estragole of 0.01 mg/kg bw ranging between 1.6 and 8.8 adducts in 10(8) nucleotides (nts) (50th and 99th percentiles, respectively). This is somewhat lower than values reported in the literature for the related alkenylbenzene methyleugenol in surgical human liver samples. The predicted levels seem to be below DNA adduct levels that are linked with tumor formation by alkenylbenzenes in rodents, which were estimated to amount to 188-500 adducts per 10(8) nts at the BMD10 values of estragole and methyleugenol. Although this does not seem to point to a significant health concern for human dietary exposure, drawing firm conclusions may have to await further validation of the model's predictions.

RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, Eugenol, CAS Registry Number 97-53-0

The use of this material under current use conditions is supported by the existing information. This material was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization potential, as well as, environmental safety. Reproductive toxicity was determined to have the most conservative systemic exposure derived NO[A]EL of 230 mg/kg/day. A gavage multigenerational continuous breeding study conducted in rats on a suitable read across analog resulted in a MOE of 12,105 while considering 22.6% absorption from skin contact and 100% from inhalation. A MOE of >100 is deemed acceptable.

Brassica oleracea L. Var. costata DC and Pieris brassicae L. aqueous extracts reduce methyl methanesulfonate-induced DNA damage in V79 hamster lung fibroblasts

Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC leaves and Pieris brassicae L. larvae aqueous extracts were assayed for their potential to prevent/induce DNA damage. None of them was mutagenic at the tested concentrations in the Ames test reversion assay using Salmonella His(+) TA98 strains, with and without metabolic activation. In the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mutation assay using mammalian V79 fibroblast cell line, extracts at 500 μg/mL neither induced mutations nor protected against the mutagenicity caused by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). In the comet assay, none of the extracts revealed to be genotoxic by itself, and both afforded protection, more pronounced for larvae extracts, against MMS-induced genotoxicity. As genotoxic/antigenotoxic effects of Brassica vegetables are commonly attributed to isothiocyanates, the extracts were screened for these compounds by headspace-solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. No sulfur compound was detected. These findings demonstrate that both extracts could be useful against damage caused by genotoxic compounds, the larvae extract being the most promising.

A core in vitro genotoxicity battery comprising the Ames test plus the in vitro micronucleus test is sufficient to detect rodent carcinogens and in vivo genotoxins

In vitro genotoxicity testing needs to include tests in both bacterial and mammalian cells, and be able to detect gene mutations, chromosomal damage and aneuploidy. This may be achieved by a combination of the Ames test (detects gene mutations) and the in vitro micronucleus test (MNvit), since the latter detects both chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy. In this paper we therefore present an analysis of an existing database of rodent carcinogens and a new database of in vivo genotoxins in terms of the in vitro genotoxicity tests needed to detect their in vivo activity. Published in vitro data from at least one test system (most were from the Ames test) were available for 557 carcinogens and 405 in vivo genotoxins. Because there are fewer publications on the MNvit than for other mammalian cell tests, and because the concordance between the MNvit and the in vitro chromosomal aberration (CAvit) test is so high for clastogenic activity, positive results in the CAvit test were taken as indicative of a positive result in the MNvit where there were no, or only inadequate data for the latter. Also, because Hprt and Tk loci both detect gene-mutation activity, a positive Hprt test was taken as indicative of a mouse-lymphoma Tk assay (MLA)-positive, where there were no data for the latter. Almost all of the 962 rodent carcinogens and in vivo genotoxins were detected by an in vitro battery comprising Ames+MNvit. An additional 11 carcinogens and six in vivo genotoxins would apparently be detected by the MLA, but many of these had not been tested in the MNvit or CAvit tests. Only four chemicals emerge as potentially being more readily detected in MLA than in Ames+MNvit--benzyl acetate, toluene, morphine and thiabendazole--and none of these are convincing cases to argue for the inclusion of the MLA in addition to Ames+MNvit. Thus, there is no convincing evidence that any genotoxic rodent carcinogens or in vivo genotoxins would remain undetected in an in vitro test battery consisting of Ames+MNvit.

Optimization of an animal test protocol for toxicogenomics studies (ii); a cross-laboratory gene expression analysis

Toxicogenomics is a promising new tool for prediction of chemical toxicities including carcinogenicity in a relatively short period. However, it is important to develop a reliable animal test protocol for toxicogenomics studies. The preparation of RNA and tissues is also crucial, since it greatly influences outcomes of gene expression analysis. We proposed an animal test protocol for toxicogenomics studies. In the present study, we examined an animal test protocol by comparing biological and gene expression data from different laboratories running identical in vivo studies on the same microarray platform. The results gave good correspondence in all three laboratories at the level of biological responses and gene expression, especially for genes whose expression changes were quite large. As the fold change or the signal values become smaller, however, discrepancies occur in gene expression data. For example, one laboratory shows an opposite directional change to the other two or no change. The results of hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated all samples from the three laboratories being clearly divided between control and treatment. Examination of the reproducibility of gene expression data across laboratories using the proposed animal test protocol thus confirmed only minor differences, which was expected to present no problems for gene expression analysis.

Absence of in vivo genotoxic potential and tumor initiation activity of kojic acid in the rat thyroid

To clarify the in vivo genotoxic potential of kojic acid (KA), formation of DNA adducts and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the thyroids of male rats subjected to dietary administration of 2% KA for 2 weeks were assessed by 32P-postlabeling analysis and with a high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to an electrochemical detector (ECD), respectively. In addition, to investigate possible tumor initiation activity, male F344 rats were given diet containing 0, 0.02, 0.2 or 2% kojic acid for 8 weeks followed by administration of 0.1% sulfadimethoxine (SDM), a thyroid tumor promoter, in the drinking water for 23 weeks with a subsequent 13-week recovery period (two-stage thyroid tumorigenesis model). Rats given four times by s.c. injection of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN; 700 mg/kg bw) during the initiation period followed by administration of 0.1% SDM and rats given diet containing 2% KA for the initial 8 weeks or for the entire 31 weeks of the experiment, or basal diet alone were provided as controls. DNA adducts were not formed, and the 8-OHdG level was not increased in the thyroids of rats given 2% KA for 2 weeks. In the two-stage thyroid tumorigenesis model, neither adenomas nor carcinomas were induced in the groups given 0, 0.02, 0.2 or 2% KA followed by 0.1% SDM administration, and incidences and multiplicities of focal follicular cell hyperplasias did not demonstrate any significant intergroup differences at the end of administration and recovery periods. In contrast, incidences and multiplicities of focal follicular cell hyperplasias, adenomas and carcinomas were all significantly increased in the DHPN + 0.1% SDM group. Although the incidences and multiplicities of focal follicular cell hyperplasias in the group given 2% KA for 31 weeks were greater than those in the 2% KA + 0.1% SDM group and an adenoma was observed in a rat at the end of the recovery period, no development of carcinomas was evident at either time point. No thyroid proliferative lesions were induced in the group given 2% KA for the initial 8 weeks only. The results of the present studies indicate that KA has neither in vivo genotoxic potential nor tumor initiation activity in the thyroid, and strongly suggest that the earlier observed thyroid tumorigenic activity of KA is attributable to a non-genotoxic mechanism.

Safrole–DNA adducts in tissues from esophageal cancer patients: clues to areca-related esophageal carcinogenesis

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that areca quid chewing can be an independent risk factor for developing esophageal cancer. However, no studies are available to elucidate the mechanisms of how areca induces carcinogenesis in the esophagus. Since the areca nut in Taiwan contains a high concentration of safrole, a well-known carcinogenic agent, we analyzed safrole-DNA adducts by the 32P-postlabelling method in tissue specimens from esophageal cancer patients. In total, we evaluated 47 patients with esophageal cancer (16 areca chewers and 31 non-chewers) who underwent esophagectomy at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1996 and 2002. Of the individuals with a history of habitual areca chewing (14 cigarette smokers and two non-smokers), one of the tumor tissue samples and five of the normal esophageal mucosa samples were positive for safrole-DNA adducts. All patients positive for safrole-DNA adducts were also cigarette smokers. Such adducts could not be found in patients who did not chew areca, irrespective of their habits of alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking (p<0.001, comparing the areca chewers with non-chewers). The genotoxicity of safrole was also tested in vitro in three esophageal cell lines and four cultures of primary esophageal keratinocytes. In two of the esophageal keratinocyte cultures, adduct formation was increased by treatment with safrole after induction of cytochrome P450 by 3-methyl-cholanthrene. This paper provides the first observation of how areca induces esophageal carcinogenesis, i.e., through the genotoxicity of safrole, a component of the areca juice.

Chemical composition, toxicity and mosquito repellency of Ocimum selloi oil

Ocimum spp. (Lamiaceae) and their essential oils have been traditionally used to kill or repel insects, and also to flavor foods and oral products, in fragrances, in folk medicine and as condiments. In Brazil, Ocimum selloi has been used to treat stomachaches and as an anti-inflammatory remedy. This study was performed to provide data on the chemical composition, acute toxicity, mutagenicity, skin irritant potential and mosquito repellency of Ocimum selloi oil. GC/MS analysis of Ocimum selloi oil revealed that its major constituents were methyl-chavicol or estragole (55.3%), trans-anethole (34.2%), cis-anethole (3.9%) and caryophyllene (2.1%). Ocimum selloi oil given by gavage to adult Swiss Webster mice produced no adverse effects at doses as high as 1250 mg/kg body weight. Deaths and symptoms (e.g. hypoactivity, ataxia and lethargy) were observed at doses > or =1500 mg/kg body weight, being females apparently more susceptible than males. Genotoxicity of Ocimum selloi oil was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay without and with S9 mixture. The oil, tested up to the toxicity limit (500-700 microg/plate), was not mutagenic to tester strains TA97a, TA98 and TA100. None of 30 volunteers of either sex exposed to undiluted Ocimum selloi oil (4-h patch test) showed a positive skin irritant reaction. A field test (six volunteers, each individual his/her own control) was carried out to evaluate mosquito (Anopheles braziliensis) repellency of Ocimum selloi oil diluted in ethanol (10% v/v). The median number of mosquito bites on volunteers' skin-recorded for 30 min after application of Ocimum selloi oil (2, range 0-3) was much lower than that noted after application of the solvent alone (19.5, 3-25) (Wilcoxon test, P<0.01). In conclusion, results showed that Ocimum selloi oil is an effective mosquito repellent that presents a low acute toxicity, poses no mutagenic risk and seems not to be irritating to human skin.

Safety assessment of allylalkoxybenzene derivatives used as flavouring substances - methyl eugenol and estragole

This publication is the seventh in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA). In 1993, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavouring substances under conditions of intended use. In this review, scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of the allylalkoxybenzene derivatives methyl eugenol and estragole is critically evaluated by the FEMA Expert Panel. The hazard determination uses a mechanism-based approach in which production of the hepatotoxic sulfate conjugate of the 1'-hydroxy metabolite is used to interpret the pathological changes observed in different species of laboratory rodents in chronic and subchronic studies. In the risk evaluation, the effect of dose and metabolic activation on the production of the 1'-hydroxy metabolite in humans and laboratory animals is compared to assess the risk to humans from use of methyl eugenol and estragole as naturally occurring components of a traditional diet and as added flavouring substances. Both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the molecular disposition of methyl eugenol and estragole and their associated toxicological sequelae have been relatively well defined from mammalian studies. Several studies have clearly established that the profiles of metabolism, metabolic activation, and covalent binding are dose dependent and that the relative importance diminishes markedly at low levels of exposure (i.e. these events are not linear with respect to dose). In particular, rodent studies show that these events are minimal probably in the dose range of 1-10 mg/kg body weight, which is approximately 100-1000 times the anticipated human exposure to these substances. For these reasons it is concluded that present exposure to methyl eugenol and estragole resulting from consumption of food, mainly spices and added as such, does not pose a significant cancer risk. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to define both the nature and implications of the dose-response curve in rats at low levels of exposure to methyl eugenol and estragole.

Constituents of aromatic plants: II. Estragole

Estragole (ES) is a natural constituent of a number of plants (e.g. tarragon, sweet basil and sweet fennel) and their essential oils have been widely used in foodstuffs as flavouring agents. Several studies with oral, i.p. or s.c. administration to CD-1 and B6C3F1 mice have shown the carcinogenicity of ES. The 1-hydroxy metabolites are stronger hepatocarcinogens than the parent compound. Controversial results are reported for the mutagenicity of ES. However, the formation of hepatic DNA adducts in vivo and in vitro by metabolites of ES has been demonstrated.

Safrole-induced oxidative damage in the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats

Safrole is a weak hepatocarcinogen, and its carcinogenic effect has been linked to the formation of stable safrole DNA adducts. In this study, we tested whether safrole also induces oxidative damages in Sprague-Dawley rats. By single i.p. injection, safrole dose-dependently induced the formation of hepatic lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG). The safrole-induced LHP reached peak level on day 3 and gradually returned to the basal level on day 15. On the other hand, 8-OH-dG levels from the similarly treated rats peaked on day 5 and returned to basal level on day 15. Safrole also dose-dependently induced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. We also examined the protective effect of vitamin E, deferoxamine and N-acetylcysteine against the safrole-induced oxidative damage. N-Acetylcysteine, the precursor of glutathione, exerted the greatest protective effect among the three antioxidants tested. In contrast, buthionine sulfoximine, the glutathione synthesis inhibitor, enhanced the safrole-induced oxidative damage, as evidenced by the elevation of LHP and 8-OH-dG levels on day 3 (P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that safrole treatment induces oxidative damage in rat hepatic tissue, and glutathione plays an important protective role. This oxidative damage may be involved in the hepatocarcinogenic effect of safrole.

The FEMA GRAS assessment of trans-anethole used as a flavouring substance. Flavour and Extract Manufacturer's Association

This publication is the fourth in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA). In 1993, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavouring substances under conditions of intended use. In this review, scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of trans-anethole (i.e. 4-methoxypropenylbenzene) as a flavouring substance is critically evaluated by the FEMA Expert Panel. The evaluation uses a mechanism-based approach in which production of the hepatotoxic metabolite anethole epoxide (AE) is used to interpret the pathological changes observed in different species and sexes of laboratory rodents in chronic and subchronic dietary studies. Female Sprague Dawley rats metabolize more trans-anethole to AE than mice or humans and, therefore, are the most conservative model for evaluating the potential for AE-induced hepatotoxicity in humans exposed to trans-anethole from use as a flavouring substance. At low levels of exposure, trans-anethole is efficiently detoxicated in rodents and humans primarily by O-demethylation and omega-oxidation, respectively, while epoxidation is only a minor pathway. At high dose levels in rats, particularly females, a metabolic shift occurs resulting in increased epoxidation and formation of AE. Lower activity of the "fast" acting detoxication enzyme epoxide hydrolase in the female is associated with more pronounced hepatotoxicity compared to that in the male. The continuous intake of high dose levels of trans-anethole (i.e. cumulative exposure) has been shown in dietary studies to induce a continuum of cytotoxicity, cell necrosis and cell proliferation. In chronic dietary studies in rats, hepatotoxicity was observed when the estimated daily hepatic production of AE exceeded 30 mg AE/kg body weight. In female rats, chronic hepatotoxicity and a low incidence of liver tumours were reported at a dietary intake of 550 mg trans-anethole/kg body weight/day. Under these conditions, daily hepatic production of AE exceeded 120 mg/kg body weight. Additionally, neither trans-anethole nor AE show any evidence of genotoxicity. Therefore, the weight of evidence supports the conclusion that hepatocarcinogenic effects in the female rat occur via a non-genotoxic mechanism and are secondary to hepatotoxicity caused by continuous exposure to high hepatocellular concentrations of AE. trans-Anethole was reaffirmed as GRAS (GRASr) based on (1) its low level of flavour intake (54 microg/kg body weight/day); (2) its metabolic detoxication pathway in humans at levels of exposure from use as a flavouring substance; (3) the lack of mutagenic or genotoxic potential; (4) the NOAEL of 120 mg trans-anethole/kg body weight/day in the female rat reported in a 2 + -year study which produces a level of AE (i.e. 22 mg AE/kg body weight/day) at least 10,000 times the level (0.002 mg AE/kg body weight day) produced from the intake of trans-anethole from use as a flavouring substance; and (5) the conclusion that a slight increase in the incidence of hepatocellular tumours in the high dose group (550 mg trans-anethole/kg body weight/day) of female rats was the only significant neoplastic finding in a 2+ -year dietary study. This finding is concluded to be secondary to hepatotoxicity induced by high hepatocellular concentrations of AE generated under conditions of the study. Because trans-anethole undergoes efficient metabolic detoxication in humans at low levels of exposure, the neoplastic effects in rats associated with dose-dependent hepatotoxicity are not indicative of any significant risk to human health from the use of trans-anethole as a flavouring substance.

Lack of influence of modulators of epoxide metabolism on the genotoxicity of trans-anethole in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes assessed with the unscheduled DNA synthesis assay

The aniseed food flavour trans-anethole was implicated as a weak hepatocarcinogen only in female Sprague Dawley-CD rats administered high doses (1% in the diet for 121 wk). However, this substance is apparently non-genotoxic in a range of test systems. Anethole is metabolized in the rat along three primary pathways, one of which is epoxidation across the double bond of the side-chain. The epoxides of a number of the alkenylbenzene family of food flavours, of which anethole is a member, are putative genotoxins, being bacterial mutagens but not mammalian carcinogens. The authors have previously shown that the cytotoxicity of anethole is enhanced when the cellular epoxide defence mechanisms of conjugation with reduced glutathione and hydration by cytosolic epoxide hydrolase are severely compromised. They now report, however, that modulation of epoxide metabolism in cultured cells by the same mechanisms fails to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) by anethole nor was there a UDS response in hepatocytes of female rats dosed with anethole in vivo. The epoxide of anethole was synthesized for the first time in this investigation and tested directly. As expected, it was markedly cytotoxic but not genotoxic. Anethole epoxide has chemical characteristics that differ from those of other structurally similar epoxides being labile to hydrolysis in aqueous media at physiological pH and temperature. This gives greater relevance to tests of its genotoxicity after formation within the hepatocyte rather than by adding the epoxide extracellularly to the culture medium. The direct and indirect demonstration of the lack of induction of UDS by anethole epoxide provides further support for the hypothesis that marginal hepatocarcinogenicity observed in female rats given 1% anethole in the diet for 121 wk was not initiated by a genotoxic event.

Genotoxicity of trans-anethole in vitro

Trans-anethole genotoxicity has been evaluated previously both in vitro and in vivo. To ascertain the reproducibility and relevance of previously conducted gene mutation studies, the Salmonella/microsome test and the L5178Y mouse lymphoma TK+/- assay were repeated according to the protocols that previously produced positive results. For the mouse lymphoma TK+/- assay, standard conditions were employed. For the Salmonella/microsome tests, however, metabolic cofactors were supplemented relative to standard protocols. In addition, trans-anethole was evaluated for its ability to induce chromosome aberrations in vitro in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The results presented here indicate that trans-anethole does not increase the mutant frequency in the Salmonella/microsome test, whereas a dose-related response was confirmed in the L5178Y mouse lymphoma TK+/- assay with metabolic activation. The metabolic conditions used in each of the published gene mutation assays may explain the various responses to trans-anethole. Trans-anethole did not induce chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The molecular nature of the genetic change induced in mouse lymphoma cells by trans-anethole has not been identified but the available genotoxicity data are consistent with either a recombination event or a non-DNA reactive mechanism. Considering the trans-anethole genotoxicity data base as a whole, including the positive response observed only in the L5178Y mouse lymphoma TK+/- assay, the irreproducible response in the Salmonella/microsome test, the negative result in the chromosome aberration test in vitro and the results from 32P-postlabeling studies in vivo, as well as the occurrence of liver tumors in the rat bioassay only at doses which exceeded the MTD and caused significant liver toxicity, repeated toxic insult followed by compensatory cell proliferation is favored as an underlying mechanism for the observed rat tumorigenic response.

The genotoxic potential in vitro and in vivo of the allyl benzene etheric oils estragole, basil oil and trans-anethole

Estragole, trans-anethole and basil oil were tested for their ability to induce DNA repair in rat hepatocytes in vitro and in rat liver in an ex vivo test. There was a marked induction of UDS by estragole and basil oil in vitro (LOEC about 10(-5) mol/l). The basil oil we used contained about 88.2% estragole. It is evident from our results that the induction of UDS with basil oil could be directly related to its main constituent estragole. trans-Anethole was only slightly effective in the in vitro UDS test. The ex vivo UDS test led to clearly elevated DNA repair for estragole and basil oil in rats treated orally with doses up to 2 g/kg body weight. Estragole was not positive in a chromosomal aberration test with V79 cells either via direct treatment, with rat liver S9 mix or with rat hepatocytes as source of metabolism.

Genotoxicity of the alkenylbenzenes alpha- and beta-asarone, myristicin and elimicin as determined by the UDS assay in cultured rat hepatocytes

While the alkenylbenzenes alpha- and beta-asarone are hepatocarcinogenic in rodents, myristicin and elimicin, two other alkenylbenzenes, are not. The present study investigated the mechanism of genotoxicity of the asarones to elucidate the role of cytochrome P-450 and obtain further information about the relationships between the structure, metabolism and genotoxicity of the alkenylbenzenes. The data on the ability of these compounds to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in hepatocytes derived from male Fischer 344 rats are presented in this paper. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage. Elimicin and alpha- and beta-asarone are genotoxic in the UDS assay but myristicin is not. The genotoxicity of the asarones is inhibited by the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor cimetidine but the sulfotransferase inhibitor pentachlorophenol (PCP) is without effect. The major metabolite of the asarones in hepatocytes was identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as 2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid but this was not genotoxic when tested separately. Simple allylbenzenes such as safrole, estragole and methyleugenol are activated by sequential 1-hydroxylation and sulfation, and this is the likely mechanism of the genotoxicity of elimicin. The propenyl analogues isosafrole, anethole and methylisoeugenol, which cannot undergo 1-hydroxylation, are not genotoxic. The positive results obtained with the asarones suggest the occurrence of a novel activation 'option' for alkenylbenzenes which features a 2-methoxy group in the aromatic ring.

Structure-specificity of the genotoxicity of some naturally occurring alkenylbenzenes determined by the unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in rat hepatocytes

A number of alkenylbenzenes related to safrole and estragole are known to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats and/or mice, apparently by a genotoxic mechanism. However, they are not bacterial mutagens in the Ames test. We have studied the ability of a series of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic congeners to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes in primary culture. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage. There was an excellent correlation between UDS induction and known rodent hepatocarcinogenicity, with safrole, estragole and methyleugenol all inducing UDS. Anethole, isosafrole, eugenol and allylbenzene, for which evidence of carcinogenicity is equivocal or negative, did not induce UDS. All compounds were markedly cytotoxic at concentrations between 10(-3) and 10(-2) M, irrespective of their structural features. The data are discussed with reference to the known structure dependence of the disposition of the alkenylbenzenes, notably their metabolic activation, with which there are excellent correlations. The demonstration of the genotoxicity of rodent hepatocarcinogenic alkenylbenzenes in cells cultured from the in vivo target organ will allow the direct investigation of factors influencing these processes and facilitate the safety evaluation of these important natural flavours.

Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of trans-anethole in rats

A chronic feeding study was carried out in rats with trans-anethole. The test substance was administered in the diet to groups (n = 26-78) of 312 male and 312 female Sprague-Dawley rats at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1% for 117-121 wk. The average intakes of trans-anethole varied from 105-550 mg/kg body weight/day. No apparent treatment-related reactions were noted. The only effect was a transient retardation of body-weight gain. No excess mortality was caused by the treatment. No abnormalities related to treatment were seen on necropsy except for reduced adiposity in the highest dose groups. Haematological assessments did not reveal any changes related to treatment. Histological examination revealed certain non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions common in older rats. The incidence of some hepatic lesions was significantly higher in some treated groups than in controls: altered cell foci (females of the 1% group), nodular hyperplasia (males of the 0.5% group and males and females of the 1% groups), benign tumours (females of the 1% group) and malignant tumours (females of the 1% group). The results are compared with those of previous investigations. The authors of this study stress that the low incidence of hepatocarcinomas is restricted to a single species and sex and to the highest dose tested. This pattern of species, sex and dose dependency strongly suggests that metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies will be helpful in interpreting the significance of the rat tumours with regard to the safe consumption of trans-anethole by man. The changes observed in this chronic feeding study are not thought to be of genetic origin and consequently trans-anethole does not constitute a significant carcinogenic risk to man. Further studies are in progress to substantiate this conclusion.

Mutagenicity of aryl propylene and butylene oxides with salmonella

10 aryl propylene oxides and 6 aryl butylene oxides were synthesized. Dose-mutagenicity relationships were studied for these compounds and for 1,2-epoxybutane, using both the preincubation and plate incorporation Ames tests with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA1535. Structure-mutagenicity relationships were further examined by concurrent testing at single doses with the plate incorporation assay in strain TA100. In both series of compounds, mutagenicity showed very correlation to chemical reactivity, molar volume and partition values. However, all compounds were mutagenic in at least one system with the propylene oxides being more mutagenic than the corresponding butylene oxide derivatives. The naphthyl derivatives in each series were the most mutagenic.

Evaluation of eugenol for mutagenicity by the mouse micronucleus test

Mutagenicity of eugenol (2-methoxy-4-allylphenol) was evaluated by an in vivo eukaryotic assay in mice. A 50% lethal dose (LD50) for intraperitoneal (IP) delivery of eugenol was found to be 1109.6 mg/kg body weight (7.5% eugenol-in-saline). Oral (PO) delivery via stainless-steel, esophageal cannulation was not lethal to 14,794 mg/kg body weight (100%) eugenol. Based upon recommended procedure, 80 and 25% LD50 doses were administered IP in 250 microliter volumes. Undiluted eugenol was administered PO in 100 microliter volumes. Delivery of eugenol by both regimes to male mice induced anaphase mutations in polychromatic erythrocytes as measured by the bone marrow micronucleus test. IP delivery of both doses induced the formation of micronuclei to significant levels (P less than 0.001) compared to saline controls. PO delivery of eugenol induced a much reduced frequency of micronuclei when compared to the IP route. However, a significant increase in micronuclei was evident when this test population was compared to its control group (P less than 0.003). These results suggest that eugenol presents some mutagenic capacity in eukaryotic hosts and should be evaluated for further toxicological effects.