Cytogenetic Effects of Quercetin on Cultured Mammalian Cells

Abstract

Quercetin, a ubiquitous flavonoid, was found to induce chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured human and Chinese hamster cells without the application of metabolic activation systems. The increment in the frequency of SCEs was dose dependent, the maximum rates being 1.7-3.3 times the control values. The frequency of chromosome aberrations was elevated up to 1.5-7.8 times the highest control level, although clear dosage effects were obtained only in Chinese hamster cells.