Carcinogenesis safrole

Safrole is a mutagenic and animal carcinogenic monoterpenoid. It is the major component of oil of sassafras, and lesser quantities occur in essential oils from cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and star anise. Some of its known or possible metabolites have mutagenic activity in bacteria and it has weak hepatocarcinogenic effects in rodents. Experiments in mice have suggested the possibility of transplacental and lactational carcinogenesis. 

Vesselinovitch SD, Rao KVN, Mihailovich N. Transplacental and lactational carcinogenesis by safrole. Cancer Res 1979 39 4378-80. 

MILLER, J.A. and MILLER, E.C. (1977) The concept of reactive electrophilic metabolites in chemical carcinogenesis Recent results with aromatic amines, safrole and aflatoxin B j In Biological... 

Merck. 1999. The Merck index. Whitehouse Station, NJ Merck. Remington, J.P., and H.C. Wood. 1918. The dispensatory cf the United States cf America. 20th ed. Philadelphia Lippincott. VesseUnovitch, S.D., K.V.N. Rao, and N. Mihailovich. 1979. Transplacental and lactational carcinogenesis by safrole. Cancer Res. 39 4378-4380. 

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