DNA adducts from alkoxyallylbenzene herb and spice constituents in cultured human (HepG2) cells.
Alkoxy derivatives of allylbenzene, including safrole, estragole, methyleugenol, myristicin, dill apiol, and parsley apiol, are important herb and spice constituents. Human exposure occurs mainly through consumption of food and drinks. Safrole, estragole, and methyleugenol are weak animal carcinogens. Experimental data reveal the genotoxicity and/or carcinogenicity of some allylbenzenes; however, except for safrole, the potential capacity of allylbenzenes for forming adducts in human cellular DNA has not been investigated. In the present study, we have exposed metabolically competent human hepatoma (HepG2) cells to three concentrations (50, 150, and 450 muM) of each of the six aforementioned allylbenzenes and shown by the monophosphate (32)P-postlabeling assay that each compound formed DNA adducts. With the exception of methyleugenol, DNA adduction was dose dependent, decreasing in the order, estragole > methyleugenol > safrole approximately myristicin > dill apiol > parsley apiol. These results demonstrate that safrole, estragole, methyleugenol, myristicin, dill apiol, and parsley apiol are capable of altering the DNA in these cells and thus may contribute to human carcinogenesis.
Zhou
Guo-Dong
GD
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX 77030-3303, USA. gzhou@ibt.tamhsc.edu
Moorthy
Bhagavatula
B
Bi
Jia
J
Donnelly
Kirby C
KC
Randerath
Kurt
K
D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017365:Spices / Q000032:analysis*
D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D018736:DNA Adducts; D004247:DNA