Chromosome-breaking ability of arecoline, a major betel-nut alkaloid, in mouse bone-marrow cells in vivo.

The chromosomal damaging properties of arecoline, a major betel-nut alkaloid were investigated in vivo after its administration to mice. Arecoline was injected in doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg for 10, 20 and 30 days each. Significant numbers of aberrations were observed in the form of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, ring structure, multiple breaks and cells with pulverized chromosomal complements. The frequency of aberrations showed a dose-response relationship. So arecoline was concluded to have weak chromosome-damaging effects in vivo.