A study of tobacco carcinogenesis. XX. Role of catechol as a major cocarcinogen in the weakly acidic fraction of smoke condensate
Hecht, S.S.; Carmella, S.; Mori, H.; Hoffmann, D.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 66(1): 163-169
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 6935456 Document Number: 173188
The weakly acidic fraction of cigarette smoke condensate was fractionated by preparative high-pressure liquid chromatography into major subfractions I-IV. Major subfractions II and III were fractionated further into subfractions A-J. Subfractions A-J were tested for cocarcinogenicity on the skin of noninbred Ha:ICR Swiss albino mice by application with 0.003% benzopyrene. Subfractions A-C and F-J showed significant cocarcinogenic activity; subfractions A, F and H were the most active. Catechol was a major component of subfraction A and was detected in subfractions B-D and F. Major components of the other subfractions included hydroquinone (B), coniferyl alcohol (C and H), hydroxphenyl alcohols (D), alkyl-2-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-ones (C, D, and F), hydroxyacetophenones (F), phenolic cyano compounds (F) and fatty acids (F). The importance of catechol as a cocarcinogen in the weakly acidic fraction of cigarette smoke condensate is discussed and the presence of other cocarcinogens indicated.