Desmutagenicity of a Dibenzofuran-quinone Derivative toward the Mutagenicity of Trp-P-2

Abstract

2, 6-Di-tert-butyl-8-hydroxy-dibenzofuran-1, 4-quinone (BHDQ) is one of the oxidative derivatives of butylated hydroxyanisole. The suppressive effect of BHDQ on the mutagenicity of Trp-P-2 was investigated using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. BHDQ (0.8 nmol) suppressed the mutagenicity of Trp-P-2 (0.2 nmol) by 30% in the presence of the S9 mix. The suppressive activity of BHDQ toward the mutagenicity of the activated metabolite of Trp-P-2, N-OH-Trp-P-2, in the absence of the S9 mix was 80%. The bio-antimutagenicity of BHDQ was also measured, but it was found to be negligible as compared to its desmutagenicity. The reaction of BHDQ with N-OH-Trp-P-2 re-produced Trp-P-2. It was considered that BHDQ should re-convert N-OH-Trp-P-2 to the original Trp-P-2, and therefore BHDQ should be a desmutagen.