α-Asarone, β-asarone, and γ-asarone: Current status of toxicological evaluation.

Asarone isomers are naturally occurring in Acorus calamus Linné, Guatteria gaumeri Greenman, and Aniba hostmanniana Nees. These secondary plant metabolites belong to the class of phenylpropenes (phenylpropanoids or alkenylbenzenes). They are further chemically classified into the propenylic trans- and cis-isomers α-asarone and β-asarone and the allylic γ-asarone.

DNA double strand break repair as cellular response to genotoxic asarone isomers considering phase I metabolism.

The phenylpropenes α-asarone and β-asarone are widely spread in the marsh plant Acorus calamus. Both isomers are classified as carcinogenic in rodents. However, the respective genotoxic mechanisms are not elucidated so far.