International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
PETASITENINE
VOL.: 31 (1983) (p. 207)
CAS No.: 60102-37-6
Chem. Abstr. Name: 4,8-Secosenecionan-8,11,16-trione,
15,20-epoxy-15,20-dihydro-
12-hydroxy-4-methyl-,(15b,20R)-
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Petasitenine isolated from young flower stalks of wild Petasites
japonicus Maxim. was tested for carcinogenicity in rats by
administration in the drinking-water; haemangioendothelial sarcomas of
the liver and liver-cell adenomas were observed. Flower stalks of
Petasites japonicus Maxim. were tested in mice, rats and hamsters by
administration in the diet. They increased the incidence of lung
adenomas and adenocarcinomas in mice of one strain and of
haemangioendothelial sarcomas of the liver and of hepatocellular
adenomas and hepatocellular carcinomas in rats. No increase in tumour
incidence was observed in hamsters.
Petasitenine is mutagenic in bacteria and in mammalian cells in
vitro. It also induced chromosomal aberrations, unscheduled DNA
synthesis and transformation in mammalian cells in vitro. There is
sufficient evidence that petasitenine is active in short-term tests.
No data were available to evaluate the teratogenicity of this
compound to experimental animals.
5.2 Human data
Petasitenine is found in a plant species to which limited human
exposure occurs from its use as a herbal remedy and as a food.
No data were available to evaluate the teratogenicity or
chromosomal effects of this compound in humans.
No case report or epidemiological study of the carcinogenicity of
petasitenine was available to the Working Group.
5.3 Evaluation
There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of both
petasitenine and flower stalks of Petasites japonicus Maxim. in
experimental animals. In the absence of epidemiological data, no
evaluation of the carcinogenicity of petasitenine to humans could be
made.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 69: Group 3)
Synonym
Last updated: 16 April 1998