Carcinogenic activity of processed bracken used as human food
Hirono, I.; Shibuya, C.; Shimizu, M.; Fushimi, K.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 48(4): 1245-1250
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 5023682 Document Number: 51639
Inbred ACI rats initially 1 to 1.5 months old were given for 4 months pellets containing unprocessed bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), pellets containing bracken treated with boiling water containing wood ash or sodium bicarbonate, or for 4 or 9 months pellets containing bracken which had been kept with salt for 4 months. Controls had a normal diet. After the 4 or 9 months all the rats were given a normal diet and survivors were killed 480 days after the start of the experiment. Of 12 rats given unprocessed bracken which had survived beyond 7 months 10 developed adenomata, adenocarcinomata and sarcomata of the ileum. Rats given bracken treated with wood ash, sodium carbonate or salt for 4 months had significantly fewer tumours than those given untreated bracken. Those given for 9 months bracken which was treated with salt and the controls had no intestinal tumour.