Aqueous extract of betel-nut of north-east India induces DNA-strand breaks and enhances rate of cell proliferation in vitro. Effects of betel-nut extract in vitro.
An aqueous extract of betel-nut has been found to be able to induce strand breaks in DNA of mouse kidney cells in vitro. It has been also found to be able to enhance the rate of cell division at a dose of 100 micrograms/ml while a higher dose of 250 micrograms/ml was extremely toxic to the cells. Compared with arecoline (10 micrograms/ml), the aqueous extract of betel-nut seems to be a more potent carcinogen to mouse kidney cells in vitro.
Wary
K K
KK
Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India.
Sharan
R N
RN
D000818:Animals; D001114:Areca; D001115:Arecoline / Q000633:toxicity; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D010936:Plant Extracts; D001115:Arecoline; D004247:DNA