Multiple genotoxic activities of ptaquiloside in human lymphocytes: Aneugenesis, clastogenesis and induction of sister chromatid exchange

Ptaquiloside, a norsesquiterpene glycoside from bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), is a known carcinogen towards animals. Its genotoxicity is mainly attributed to its DNA-alkylating and clastogenic properties. This study analyses various modes of genotoxic action of ptaquiloside in human mononuclear blood cells. The alkaline comet assay was performed on cells exposed to 5μg/ml ptaquiloside for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50min. Tail length was used as a DNA-damage parameter. Assays to determine structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchange were conducted on cells exposed to 5, 10 or 20μg/ml ptaquiloside for 48h. The tail length showed maximum DNA damage at 20–30min, diminishing onwards. Highly significant (p