| To investigate the genetic toxicity of evodia rutaecarpa and its main components, including evodiamine, rutaecarpin and limonin, in order to provide useful data for developing toxic Traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods： Ames test, CHL chromosome aberation assay and micronucleus assay of bone marrow cell in mice were used to test evodiamine, rutaecarpin, limonin and evodia rutaecarpa. Strains TA97，TA98，TA100，TA102 and TA1535 were used in the Ames test. There were five dose groups respectively for evodiamine, rutaecarpin and limonin as follows：0.0005, 0.005 mg/plate, 0.05 mg/plate, 0.5 mg/plate, 5 mg/plate. As a result, the results of the Ames assay were negative for various groups of evodiamine, rutaecarpin and limonin. In CHL chromosome aberration assay, the doses of evodiamine, rutaecarpin and limonin were 0.005 mg/mL, 0.05 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL respectively. Exposure time were 4 h and 24 h. Results：The result of the Evodiamine was negative. Aberration rate of 24 h exposure Rutaecarpin chromosome increased significantly compared with that of negative control group (P<0.05). Aberration rate of Limonin chromosome 0.05 and 0.5 mg/ml groups increased in 4 h and 24 h exposure compared with negative control group (P<0.05), the 0.005 mg/mL group was not significantly different compared with negative control group(P>0.05). In vivo micronucleus test with evodia rutaecarpa alcohol extract, there were 3 dosing groups：0.88, 3.52,10.55 g raw drug／kg, 4 days, once every day. The results was negative.Conclusion：no genetic toxicity was observed in evodia rutaecarpa alcohol extract. However, rutaecarpin and limonin shows some genotoxicity in vivo test, which requires further research to confirm. |
