No induction of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells by chrysophanol

Chrysophanol is an anthraquinone which occurs in several herbal drugs, e.g. senna, a commonly used laxative. As there are only limited data on its cla stogenic potential we have investigated its capability to cause chromosomal aberrations in the Chinese hamster ovary cell assay. There were no signifi cant increases in chromosomal aberrations when chrysophanol was rested up t o its limit of solubility with or without metabolic activation. We conclude that chrysophanol had no clastogenic activity under the conditions describ ed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.