Farnesol induces apoptosis-like phenotype in the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea.

This study demonstrates that the isoprenoid farnesol produces a toxic effect on the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea in solid and liquid media. In solid media farnesol retarded 72 h the beginning of mycelial growth. Also, it was demonstrated that the toxic effect is due to farnesol triggers apoptosis in B. cinerea because ROS accumulation, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization were detected in farnesol-treated mycelium. Therefore, compounds that increase the intracellular farnesol or induce apoptosis could have a potential application as fungicide against B. cinerea.

Evaluation of the mutagenicity of sesquiterpenic compounds and their influence on the susceptibility towards antibiotics of two clinically relevant bacterial strains.

Sesquiterpenic compounds are natural chemicals present in organisms from different Phylae or Divisions, which have proved to be important bioactive products, namely in potentiating the action of antibiotics. In the first step, the mutagenicity of nine sesquiterpenic compounds (hydrocarbons and alcohols) was screened in a Salmonella typhimurium his(-)-reversion test with strains TA98 and TA100, in the presence or absence of in vitro metabolic activation. Under the test conditions, none of the compounds showed mutagenicity up to a concentration of 222µg/plate. trans-Farnesol, nerolidol, and α-bisabolol displayed cytotoxicity when tested at concentrations ranging from 14 to 222µg/plate. Then, the combined effect of antibiotic-sesquiterpenic compounds was evaluated on two clinically relevant pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with well-defined resistance-sensitive profiles. The agar-disc diffusion assay revealed that all the combinations of antibiotic-sesquiterpenic compounds increased the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics tested against S. aureus. For E. coli, an antagonistic effect was observed for various combinations on the growth of this bacterium.

Microbial quorum-sensing molecules induce acrosome loss and cell death in human spermatozoa.

Infertility in men and women is frequently associated with genital contamination by various commensal or uropathogenic microbes. Since many microorganisms are known to release quorum-sensing signals in substantial amounts, we raised the question whether such molecules can directly affect human spermatozoa. Here we show that farnesol and 3-oxododecanoyl-l-homoserine lactone, employed by the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida albicans and the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, induce multiple damage in spermatozoa. A reduction in the motility of spermatozoa coincided in a dose-dependent manner with apoptosis and necrosis at concentrations which were nondeleterious for dendritic cell-like immune cells. Moreover, sublethal doses of both signaling molecules induced premature loss of the acrosome, a cap-like structure of the sperm head which is essential for fertilization. Addressing their mechanism of action, we found that the bacterial molecule, but not the fungal molecule, actively induced the acrosome reaction via a calcium-dependent mechanism. This work uncovers a new facet in the interaction of microorganisms with human gametes and suggests a putative link between microbial communication systems and host infertility.

Toxicological and pharmacologic effects of farnesol (C15H26O): A descriptive systematic review.

The objective of the present study was to perform a systematic review (SR) composed of preclinical and clinical studies which investigated the toxicological and pharmacologic effects of farnesol [Molecular formula: C15H26O; IUPAC: (3,7,11-Trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol]. This SR was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Literature research was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the descriptor combinations: "farnesol and pharmacological effect" and "farnesol and toxicology". The inclusion criteria used were original articles from preclinical and clinical studies investigating the pharmacological and toxicological effects of farnesol, published between January 1960 and December 2017 which were written in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Primary research identified 414 articles, from which 76 articles were selected for final analysis following the inclusion criteria. After grouping, 51.32 and 22.37% of the articles investigated the antimicrobial and antitumor effect, respectively. Methodological biases have been observed both in pre-clinical studies with non-human animals and in clinical trials, mainly in group allocation and blinding. This SR is the first study developed to compile the studies concerning the pharmacological and toxicological effects of farnesol. This study concludes that farnesol possesses different pharmacological and toxicological features, which permit its use as an active or a coadjuvant drug.

Fragrance material review on farnesol.

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of farnesol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.

Benzo(a)pyrene-induced genotoxicity: attenuation by farnesol in a mouse model.

In the present study we have evaluated the antigenotoxic effects of Farnesol (FL) a 15-carbon isoprenoid alcohol against benzo (a) pyrene [B(a)P] (125 mg kg(- 1).b.wt oral) induced toxicity. B(a)P administration lead to significant induction in Cytochrome P450 (CYP) content and aryl hydrocarbon hydrolase (AHH) activity (p < 0.001), DNA strand breaks and DNA adducts (p < 0.001) formation. FL was shown to suppress the activities of both CYP and AHH (p < 0.005) in modulator groups. FL pretreatment significantly (p < 0.001) restored depleted levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione -S-transferase (GST). A simultaneous significant and at both the doses reduction was seen in DNA strand breaks and in in-vivo DNA adducts formation (p < 0.005), which gives some insight on restoration of DNA integrity. The results support the protective nature of FL. Hence present data supports FL as a future drug to preclude B (a) P induced toxicity.

A new functional Ras antagonist inhibits human pancreatic tumor growth in nude mice.

Constitutively active Ras proteins, their regulatory components, and overexpressed tyrosine kinase receptors that activate Ras, are frequently associated with cell transformation in human tumors. This suggests that functional Ras antagonists may have anti-tumor activity. Studies in rodent fibroblasts have shown that S-trans, transfarnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) acts as a rather specific nontoxic Ras antagonist, dislodging Ras from its membrane anchorage domains and accelerating its degradation. FTS is not a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, and does not affect Ras maturation. Here we demonstrate that FTS also acts as a functional Ras antagonist in human pancreatic cell lines that express activated K-Ras (Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2). In Panc-1 cells, FTS at a concentration of 25-100 microM reduced the amount of Ras in a dose-dependent manner and interfered with serum-dependent and epidermal growth factor-stimulated ERK activation, thus inhibiting both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of Panc-1 cells in vitro. FTS also inhibited tumor growth in Panc-1 xenografted nude mice, apparently without systemic toxicity. Daily FTS treatment (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in mice with tumors (mean volume 0.07 cm3) markedly decreased tumor growth (after treatment for 18 days, tumor volume had increased by only 23+/-30-fold in the FTS-treated group and by 127+/-66-fold in controls). These findings suggest that FTS represents a new class of functional Ras antagonists with potential therapeutic value.

Modulation of hepatic and renal drug metabolizing enzyme activities in rats by subchronic administration of farnesol.

Farnesol demonstrates antitumor activity in several animal models for human cancer and was being considered for development as a cancer chemopreventive agent. This study was performed to characterize the effects of minimally toxic doses of farnesol on the activity of phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes. CD((R)) rats (20/sex/group) received daily gavage exposure to farnesol doses of 0, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 days; 10 rats/sex/group were necropsied at the termination of farnesol exposure; remaining animals were necropsied after a 28-day recovery period. No deaths occurred during the study, and farnesol had no significant effects on body weight, food consumption, clinical signs, or hematology/coagulation parameters. Modest but statistically significant alterations in several clinical chemistry parameters were observed at the termination of farnesol exposure; all clinical pathology effects were reversed during the recovery period. At the termination of dosing, the activities of CYP1A, CYP2A1-3, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11/12, CYP2E1, CYP3A1/2, CYP4A1-3, CYP19, glutathione reductase, NADPH/quinone oxidoreductase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase were significantly increased in the livers of farnesol-treated rats; farnesol also increased the activity of glutathione S-transferase in the kidney. The effects of farnesol on hepatic and renal enzymes were reversed during the recovery period. At the end of the dosing period, increases in absolute and relative liver and kidney weights were seen in farnesol-treated rats. These increases may be secondary to induction of drug metabolizing enzymes, since organ weight increases were not associated with histopathologic alterations and were reversed upon discontinuation of farnesol exposure. Administration of farnesol at doses of up to 1000 mg/kg/day induced reversible increases in the activities of several hepatic and renal drug metabolizing enzymes in rats, while inducing only minimal toxicity. It is concluded that non-toxic or minimally toxic doses of farnesol could alter the metabolism, efficacy, and/or toxicity of drugs with which it is co-administered.

Farnesyl thiosalicylic acid chemosensitizes human melanoma in vivo.

Malignant melanoma is well known for its poor response to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. Testing of numerous treatment strategies has identified dacarbazine as the most active single drug; however, its response rates in various clinical settings are quite limited. Defective apoptosis in combination with oncogenic proteins (such as activated Ras) in cell proliferation pathways plays a key part in both the development and disease progression of human melanoma. Farnesyl thiosalicylic acid, a novel Ras inhibitor, dislodges Ras proteins from the cell membrane, leading to inhibition of cell transformation and tumor growth. In this study we evaluated the effect of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid treatment on established human melanoma xenografts grown in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency as well as the chemosensitizing effect of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid in combination with dacarbazine. Daily administration of 10, 20, or 40 mg per kg of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in tumor growth, with growth inhibition reaching a mean value of 45+/-7%, at the highest concentration. The combination of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid (10 mg per kg per day) and dacarbazine (80 mg per kg per day) resulted in a significant reduction of 56%+/-9%, in mean tumor growth. Analysis of toxicologic parameters (mouse weight, blood cell counts, and blood chemistry) showed an acceptable and similar toxicity profile for both the single-agent farnesyl thiosalicylic acid treatment and the combination of farnesyl thiosalicylic acid plus dacarbazine treatment. Given the observed preclinical treatment responses and the low toxicity, our results support the notion that farnesyl thiosalicylic acid in combination with dacarbazine may qualify as a rational treatment approach for human melanoma.

Selective farnesol toxicity and translocation of protein kinase C in neoplastic HeLa-S3K and non-neoplastic CF-3 cells.

We have reported earlier that farnesol, a 15 carbon isoprenoid, has inhibitory effects on the growth and viability of a variety of cultured cells of neoplastic derivation but is considerably less cytotoxic to cells derived from normal tissue (Cancer Lett., 79, 175-179). As part of our search for the mechanism of this observation, we have studied the effect of 20 microM farnesol on the distribution of protein kinase C (PKC) between cytosolic and membrane fractions of HeLa S3K cells and fibroblasts line CF-3. In HeLa cells farnesol caused translocation of PKC from membrane fraction to cytosol after 1h of incubation and also prevented PMA-stimulated induction of PKC translocation from cytosol to membranes. Up to 6 h of incubation, there was no effect of farnesol on PKC localization in CF-3 fibroblasts. The results point to possible involvement of PKC in the toxic effect of farnesol which occurs with some degree of selectivity depending on cell origin.

The antibacterial effects of terpene alcohols on Staphylococcus aureus and their mode of action.

The study was made of the antibacterial effects of three terpene alcohols on Staphylococcus aureus, focusing on the leakage of K+ ions and toxicity over time. The leakage of K+ ions was monitored continuously with a K+-electrode. Our results suggested that the terpene alcohols, namely, farnesol, nerolidol and plaunotol might act on cell membranes. The rank order of effectiveness, farnesol>nerolidol>plaunotol, was the same in the toxicity assay and in the examination of the leakage of K+ ions, when we considered the initial rate and the amount of leaked K+ ions. The rank order agreed with the results of a growth-inhibition assay reported previously. The antibacterial activity reflected the initial rate of leakage of K+ ions, suggesting that damage to cell membranes might be one of the major modes of action of these terpene alcohols. The results also demonstrated that the initial rate of leakage and the amount of leaked K+ ions are useful as indices of the antibacterial activities of hydrophobic compounds.

[A 13-week subcutaneous toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) in rats].

The toxicity of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a synthetic glucocorticoid, was investigated in the Sprague-Dawley rat. PNF was injected subcutaneously at doses of 0.03, 0.3, 3 and 30 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. In addition, 18.7 mg/kg/day prednisolone (PN), which is approximate to 30 mg/kg/day PNF in prednisolone molarity, was also administered to the rat for comparison. The results are summarized as follows: 1. All animals from the PN 18.7 mg/kg/day group, and four(4) out of ten(10) males and three(3) out of ten(10) females from the PNF 30 mg/kg/day group died having shown weakened condition such as unkempt fur and emaciation. Histopathologically, systemic suppurative inflammation, as shown by pyeronephritis and abscess formation in many organs and tissues, was observed and it was considered that the administration of steroid induced weakened condition and systemic suppuration which resulted in death. In addition, atrophy was noted in the adrenal glands, lymphatic organs and skin, and histopathological lesions were also observed in the lungs, liver, pancreatic islets, bone, bone marrow and mammary glands. 2. Surviving animals in the PNF 30 mg/kg/day group showed almost the same changes as those observed in the dead animals that died. Hematological examination revealed an anemic change and a decrease in lymphocytes with an increase in segmented neutrophils and eosinophils. In the urinalysis and blood chemistry, the changes suggesting damages to the liver and kidneys were mainly observed. 3. In the PNF 3 and 0.3 mg/kg/day groups, several changes such as atrophy of the adrenal glands, lymphatic organs and skin were noted in a dose dependent manner. 4. In the PNF 0.03 mg/kg/day group, ther were no toxic signs. 5. Based on these results, it was concluded that the overt toxic dose of PNF was 0.3 mg/kg/day and the non-toxic dose was 0.03 mg/kg/day in the present study.

[A 13-week percutaneous toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel in beagle dogs with a recovery period of 5 weeks].

The toxicity of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was investigated in the Beagle dog. PNF gel was administered percutaneously at doses of 0.2, 0.8 and 3.2 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, then the drug was withdrawn for 5 weeks to evaluate the reversibility. In addition, 2 mg/kg/day prednisolone gel (PN gel), which is approximate to 3.2 mg/kg/day PNF gel in prednisolone molarity, was also administered for comparison. The results are summarized as follows: 1. No deaths were observed in any of the PNF gel test groups or the PN gel group, nor were there any abnormal findings in the clinical signs of the animals. 2. In the hematology, a tendency toward a decrease in the lymphocyte ratio was observed in males from the PNF gel 0.8 mg/kg/day and above groups. In the PN gel group, a significant decrease or a tendency toward a decrease in the lymphocyte ratio was observed, as well as an increase in the white blood cell count in some animals. 3. In the blood biochemistry, a significant decrease or a tendency toward a decrease in total cholesterol and phospholipid was observed in males from the PNF gel 3.2 mg/kg/day group and a tendency toward an increase in triglyceride in females from the PNF gel 3.2 mg/kg/day group was observed. In the PN gel group, a tendency toward an increase in AIP activity, a tendency toward an increase in triglyceride were observed. 4. In the histological examinations, a decrease in the weight of the thymus and adrenal glands, vacuolation of hepatocytes in the middle zone of the liver, atrophy of zona fasciculata of the adrenal glands, hypertrophy of zona glomeruli, swelling of cortical cells of zona faciculate and atrophy of the thymus were observed in the PNF gel 0.8 mg/kg/day and above groups. In the PN gel group, atrophy of submandibular lymph nodes and mesenteric lymph nodes was observed in addition to the same changes as observed in the PNF gel groups. Furthermore, thinning, atrophy or a decrease in the weight of the adrenal glands was also observed both in the PNF gel 3.2 mg/kg/day group and the PN gel group at the end of the 5-week recovery period. 5. As described above, a decrease in the lymphocyte ratio, in the weight of the thymus and adrenal glands and vacuolation of hepatocytes were observed in the PNF gel 0.8 mg/kg/day and above groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[A 52-week percutaneous toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel in beagle dogs with a recovery period of 8 weeks].

The toxicity of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was investigated in the Beagle dog. PNF gel was administered percutaneously at doses of 0.05, 0.2 and 0.8 mg/kg/day for 52 weeks, then the drug was with held for 8 weeks to evaluate reversibility. The results are summarized in the following. 1. In the 0.05 mg/kg/day and above groups, hypotrichosis in the application site of the skin, thinning of the skin and atrophy of the appendages, and in the 0.2 mg/kg/day and above groups a tendency toward retarded body weight gain, were observed. 2. In the 0.2 mg/kg/day and above groups, a drop in the lymphocyte ratio, a rise in GOT activity and A1P level, and in the 0.8 mg/kg/day group a rise in free fatty acid were observed. 3. In the 0.2 mg/kg/day group and above groups, atrophy of the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis were observed. In the 0.8 mg/kg/day group, a decrease in the weight of the thymus and adrenal glands, and a increase in the weight of the liver, were observed. 4. At the end of the recovery period, most of the changes disappeared, except for those in the adrenals and treated area. From the above results, under the conditions of this study, it was concluded that when the changes observed in the application site of the skin in each group were not taken into consideration, the toxicological no effect level was 0.05 mg/kg/day for both males and females and the overt toxic dose level was 0.8 mg/kg/day.

[Effects of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel on skin and ocular mucosa].

Various tests for irritation, phototoxicity, contact sensitivity and photocontact sensitivity of PNF gel were conducted. The results were as follows. 1) In the primary dermal irritation test and trypan blue test, slight erythema was noted in the rabbits treated with 0.8 and 1.6% PNF gel, although similar reaction occurred in those treated with the base. 2) In the test for the primary irritation to the ocular mucosa, severe irritant reactions were caused by 0.8 and 1.6% PNF gel and its base. However these reactions disappeared 7 days after irritation. 3) In the phototoxicity test and contact sensitivity test, no positive reactions were detected by 0.8 and 1.6% PNF gel. On the other hand, in the photocontact sensitivity test, positive reaction were noted in the guinea pig treated with 0.8 and 1.6% PNF gel and its base.

[A 52-week dermal toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel in rats with a recovery period of 8 weeks].

The toxicity of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was investigated in the Sprague-Dawley rat. PNF gel was administered dermally to the rats at doses of 0.125, 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg/day for 52 weeks, then the drug was withdrawn for 8 weeks to evaluate the reversibility. The results are summarized as follows: 1. In the PNF gel 2.0 mg/kg/day group, thinning of the skin at the application site, slightly retarded body weight gains, a tendency toward a decrease in the white blood cell count, an elevation of serum GOT and GPT activity, free fatty acid level, and a decrease in alpha 1-globulin fraction were observed. In the pathological examinations, decreased organ weights of the thymus, spleen and adrenal glands, and thinning of the skin were observed. Histopathological examination revealed atrophy of the thymus and zona fasciculata of the adrenal glands, thinning of the skin with atrophied skin appendages, and hepatocellular hypertrophy with hypertrophied uncleus in the perilobular zone. 2. In the PNF gel 0.5 mg/kg/day group, thinning of the skin at the application site and a decrease in alpha 1-globulin fraction were observed. Histopathologically, thinning of the skin atrophied skin appendages was observed. 3. In the PNF gel 0.125 mg/kg/day group, there were no toxic signs induced by the drug. 4. After the 8-week recovery period, the changes in the skin were observed in the 2.0 mg/kg/day group, but the severity was lowered. The other changes disappeared and so it was demonstrated that the changes were reversible. 5. Based on these results, it was concluded that the overt toxic dose of PNF gel was 0.5 mg/kg/day and the non-toxic dose was 0.125 mg/kg/day in the present study.

[A 13-week dermal toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel in rats with a recovery period of 5 weeks].

The toxicity of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF) gel, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was investigated in the Sprague-Dawley rat. PNF gel was administered dermally to the rats at doses of 0.25, 1, 4 and 16 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, then the drug was withdrawn for 5 weeks to evaluate the reversibility. In addition, 10 mg/kg/day prednisolone gel (PN gel), which is approximate to 16 mg/kg/day PNF gel in prednisolone molarity, was also administered to the rats for comparison. The results are summarized as follows: 1. In the PNF gel 16 mg/kg/day group, temporary erythema at the application site, retarded body weight gains, a decrease in the white blood cell count and lymphocyte ratio with an increase in the segmented neutrophil ratio, an elevation of serum AIP activity were observed. The pathological examinations revealed atrophy of the adrenal glands, lymphatic organs and skin. In addition, histopathological lesions were also found in the liver, pancreatic islets, bone, bone marrow and mammary glands. 2. In the PNF gel 4 mg/kg/day group, retarded body weight gains were observed, and histopathological lesions were noted in the adrenal glands, lymphatic organs, skin at the application site, liver and bone marrows. 3. In the groups that received less than 1 mg/kg/day of PNF gel, there were no toxic signs induced by the drug. 4. In the PN gel 10 mg/kg/day group, drug-related changes were almost similar to those of the PNF gel group, but the severity of the lesions was stronger than in the PNF gel group. 5. After the 5-week recovery period, the above changes almost completely disappeared and so it was demonstrated that the changes were reversible. 6. Based on these results, it was concluded that the overt toxic dose of PNF gel was 4 mg/kg/day and the non-toxic dose was 1 mg/kg/day in the present study.

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF)--study by subcutaneous administration of PNF prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy in rats].

A fertility study of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a newly synthesized corticosteroid, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. This compound was administered subcutaneously at dose levels of 0(control), 0.04, 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/day to males for 63 days before mating and during the mating period, and to females for 14 days before mating, through the mating period and until day 7 of pregnancy. Each 24 male and female rats were mated, and females were killed on day 20 of pregnancy to examine their fetuses. 1. In the parental animals, loss of fur or thin fur and incrustation of treated site occurred in male rats treated at doses of 0.2 mg/kg or more and female rats treated at dose of 1 mg/kg, and at the same dose groups, the thinning of skin, atrophy of the thymus and intention of the substance at the injected site were noted. Moreover, body weight gains and food consumption were suppressed in both sexes treated at the dose of 1 mg/kg. 2. Fertility and reproductive ability in both sexes, and estrus cycles in female rats were not affected by administration of PNF. 3. In the fetuses, no embryonic or fetal lethal effect and teratogenic effect were noted. From these results, the no-effect dose levels of PNF on the parental general states, the parental reproductive ability and those of the fetuses are thought to be 0.04 mg/kg/day, 1 mg/kg/day or more and 1 mg/kg/day or more, respectively, under the experimental conditions of this study.

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF)--study by subcutaneous administration of PNF during the period of fetal organogenesis in rats].

A teratogenicity study of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a newly synthesized corticosteroid, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. This compound was administrated subcutaneously to female rats at dose levels of 0(control), 1, 5 and 25 mg/kg/day, once a day, for 11 days from day 7 to day 17 of pregnancy. In each dose group, 26 or 27 dams were killed on day 20 of pregnancy to examine their fetuses. The remaining 14 or 15 dams of each group were allowed to litter naturally, and observations were made on the postnatal growth and development of their offspring. 1. In the dams treated at doses of 1 mg/kg or more, decreased body weight gains and food consumption and retention of the substance at the injected site were noted. However, general signs, parturition, lactation and nursing behaviors were not affected by the administration of PNF. 2. In the F1 fetuses, no embryonic or fetal lethal effect, fetal retardation and teratogenic effect were noted. 3. In the F1 newborns, the postnatal growth, development, responses, behaviors, learning ability and reproductive ability were not influenced. Additionally, no embryonic or fetal abnormalities of their fetuses (F2) were detected. From these results, the no-effect dose levels of PNF on the parental general states, the parental reproductive ability and those of the F1 offspring are thought to be less than 1 mg/kg/day, 25 mg/kg/day and 25 mg/kg/day, respectively, under the experimental conditions of this study. Moreover, the F2 fetuses are not affected by doses up to 25 mg/kg/day of PNF.