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

We have investigated the mutagenicity of a-asarone, a hypolipidaemic drug obtained from Guatteria gaumeri, in rats. We used the dominant lethal assay, a test which detects agents producing chromosomal aberrations in sperm and thereby affecting the viability of progeny. Sexually mature male or female Wistar rats received 0, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg of a-asarone orally for 5 days. The study was carried out in two phases: a male dominant lethal phase in which each treated male was mated with two untreated virgin females each 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 cohabitation. 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.