PAN MASALA - A GENOTOXIC MENACE

Cytogenetic markers such as chromosome aberration (CA), sister-chromat id exchange (SCE) and micronucleated cells (MNC) were used to assess t he genotoxic potential of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) extract of pan ma sala with and without tobacco (PM-T and PM). Using in vitro short-term assays, the extracts were tested in the presence or absence of metabo lic activation. In cultures without metabolic activation the extracts were found to increase the frequency of all the three parameters teste d significantly, however those with activation elicited a weak respons e, implying that pan masalas contain solvent (DMSO)-soluble direct-act ing mutagen.