Developmental toxicity of arecoline, the major alkaloid in betel nuts, in zebrafish embryos

Abstract

Arecoline-treated embryos exhibited general developmental retardation in a dose-dependent manner. Our results from RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and antioxidant-protection experiments indicate that the mechanism underlying growth retardation by arecoline in embryos is predominantly due to a general cytotoxic effect induced by depletion of intracellular thiols.