Research Identifies Potential DNA Damage from Basil and Fennel Compound in Vulnerable Individuals
A study conducted by researchers at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau has identified that methyleugenol, a compound found in basil, fennel, and other herbs, can cause DNA damage in human cells. Methyleugenol is metabolized in the liver into a reactive form that can alter DNA, potentially leading to carcinogenic effects. The study, published in the journal Cell Death & Disease, used various human cell models to investigate DNA repair mechanisms. It was found that methyleugenol-derived DNA adducts block transcription, a critical process for protein production, and activate a repair mechanism known as transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER). This discovery is particularly significant for individuals with impaired DNA repair mechanisms, such as those with Cockayne syndrome, who may experience increased DNA damage and liver dysfunction from consuming methyleugenol-containing herbs. 
