Dominant lethal study of alpha-asarone in male and female rats after short-term treatment

We have investigated the mutagenicity of alpha-asarone, a hypolipidaemic dr ug obtained from Guatteria gaumeri, in rats. We used the dominant lethal as say, a test which detects agents producing chromosomal aberrations in sperm and thereby affecting the viability of progeny. Sexually mature male or fe male Wistar rats received 0, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg of alpha-asarone orally far 5 days. The study was carried out in two phases: a male dominant lethal pha se in which each treated male was mated with two untreated virgin females e ach week for eight consecutive weeks; and a female dominant lethal phase in which untreated males were mated with treated females. In both cases their fetuses were evaluated 14 days after the mid-point of the week of cohabita tion. Examination of uteri and ovaries of pregnant females showed pre- and postimplantation losses, indicating genotoxic activity. Accordingly, humans must be very cautious when taking Guatteria gaumeri extracts and products. Med Sci Res 27:337-339 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.