Mutagenicity of betel quid and its ingredients using mammalian test systems

Abstract
The mutagenic potential of betel quid and its ingredients (known colloquially as PAN) were tested in 2 short term mutagenicity assays, the micronucleus test [mouse erythrocytes] and a mammalian gene mutation test [Chinese hamster lung fibroblast V-79 cells]. Betal quid with tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum], tobacco, betel nut and one of its alkaloids arecoline were positive in both tests. Extracts of betel quid and arecaidine (a metabolite of arecoline present in Betel nut) were negative. The data presented correlate well with previous tumorigenicity data on these compounds.