CAS No.:

SAFETY PROFILE：
The areca nut contains several alkaloids which are the primary cause of habituation. The most abundant alkaloid is arecoline which mimics the action of acetylcholine and acts as a stimulant.

Betel quid toxicity is due to the presence of areca nut alkaloids, nitrosamines derived from these compounds, polyphenols, and, when used, tobacco specific nitrosamines. Several nitrosamines derived from areca nut alkaloids have been found in the saliva of quid chewers: N-nitrosoguvacoline, N-nitrosoproline, N′-nitrosonornicotine, N′-nitrosoanatabine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. Users of betel quid with tobacco also have nitrosamines derived from tobacco alkaloids in their saliva. Catechu has a high percentage of polyphenols such as kaempferol, dihydroxykaempferol, taxifolin, isorhamnetin, (+)afzelchin, dimeric procyanidin and (−)eipcatechin. Many nitrosamines have been shown to be experimental carcinogens.

There is sufficient evidence that betel quid with tobacco is carcinogenic to humans. There is inadequate evidence that betel quid without tobacco is carcinogenic to humans. There is limited evidence that extracts of betel quid with and without tobacco are carcinogenic to experimental animals. There is limited evidence that areca nut with and without tobacco is carcinogenic to experimental animals. Extracts from the areca nut are mutatgenic. Chewing the quid may cause mouth ulcerations and periodontal disease. There is a high incidence of oral leukoplakia (a precancerous lesion) in betel quid users.

See also specific compounds; ARECA NUT, BETEL LEAVES; BETEL NUT; BETEL NUT, polyphenol fraction; BETEL NUT TANNIN; BETEL QUID EXTRACT; BETEL TOBACCO EXTRACT, SMOKELESS TOBACCO, N-NITROSO COMPOUNDS, and NITROSAMINES.