[Studies on the effect of an alkaloid extract of Symphytum officinale on human lymphocyte cultures]

An alkaloid extract of Symphytum officinale was investigated for its chromosome-damaging effect in human lymphocytes in vitro. In concentrations of 1.4 micrograms/ml and 14 micrograms/ml the Alkaloids had no effect, in concentrations of 140 micrograms/ml and 1400 micrograms/ml the Alkaloids induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) as well as chromosome aberrations. Additionally, the influence of rat liver Enzymes (S9) was tested. The SCE-inducing capacity and the clastogenic effect of Symphytum Alkaloids was increased by simultaneous application of S9-Mix.