CYCASIN: RADIOMIMETIC EFFECT.
Cycasin, methylazoxy-methanol-beta-glucoside, a carcinogenic compound that occurs naturally in cycad plants, induces chromosome aberrations in the root-tip cells of Allium cepa. Germination and growth in an aqueous solution of cycasin at a concentration of only 3 percent of that found in Cycas circinalis induced as many aberrations in chromosomes as did about 200 roentgens of gamma irradiation.
Carcinogens↗