Ligand binding of safrole to cytochrome P-450.

Safrole, a hepatocarcinogen, is converted by the microsomal mono-oxygenase system to a reactive intermediate which interacts with cytochrome P-450 to form a ligand complex. The formation of this complex is accompanied by loss of mono-oxygenase activity. The present study describes the interaction of the safrole reactive intermediate with microsomes from phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and safrole pretreated animals