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Griseofulvin.
1Dipartimento di Genetica e Microbiologia A. Buzzati-Traverso, Universitá di Pavia, Italy.
Mutation Research
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Griseofulvin (GF) is an antifungal drug that causes cell abnormalities in fungi and eukaryotes. It can lead to genetic damage, including chromosome number changes, and has shown tumor-promoting potential in animal models.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Griseofulvin (GF) is a mycotoxin from Penicillium species used to treat fungal infections.
- Its antifungal activity stems from inducing nuclear and mitotic abnormalities in fungi.
- In humans, it concentrates in keratin and has low toxicity, making it suitable for oral dermatophytoses therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytological and genetic effects of Griseofulvin (GF) in various eukaryotic systems.
- To evaluate the carcinogenic and teratogenic potential of GF.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying GF's biological activity.
Main Methods:
- In vivo and in vitro studies on plant and animal cell systems.
- Biochemical analyses of porphyrin metabolism and microsomal cytochrome levels.
- Tumor induction studies in mice, rats, and hamsters.
- Genetic assays including mutagenicity, chromosome aberration, and dominant lethal tests.
Main Results:
- GF induces mitotic arrest, C-mitoses, multipolar mitoses, and multinuclearity in eukaryotes.
- Prolonged GF treatment in animals leads to liver damage and hepatoma development.
- GF demonstrates embryotoxic and teratogenic effects in rats.
- Positive results for numerical chromosome changes were observed across multiple test systems.
Conclusions:
- Griseofulvin (GF) exhibits significant cytostatic and genotoxic effects in eukaryotic cells.
- GF possesses tumor-promoting and co-carcinogenic potential, alongside teratogenic activity.
- The primary genetic effect of GF involves numerical chromosome abnormalities.