Objective:To evaluate the genotoxicity of Cinnabaris by using in vitro CHL cell and in vivo Hamster (Phodopus sungorus) chromosome aberration tests. Method:In vivo chromosome aberration test

hamsters (P. sungorus) were orally given cinnabar suspension at doses of 2.0

4.0

8.0 g·kg-1 respectively for 5 days. They were intraperitoneally injected with colchicine 2 hours before being put to death. Bone marrow cells were taken to prepare chromosome smears. Mitotic index of bone marrow cells and types of chromosome aberration in 100 metaphase cells per animal were observed under the microscope oil lens. In CHL cell chromosome aberration test

cinnabar extracts were used to react with cells

with the final concentration of 6.3

12.5

25.0 g·L-1

and cultured for 24 or 48 h. Colchicine was added and cultured for 4 hours. The cells were collected to prepare chromosome smears. Types of chromosome aberration in 200 metaphase CHL cells per dose were observed under the microscope oil lens. Result:① Obvious chromosome aberrations were observed at doses of 12.5

25.0 g·L-1 in CHL cell chromosome aberration test(P<0.05

P<0.01). ② Compared with the negative control

the chromosome aberration rates in both in vivo chromosome aberration test and in vitro CHL cell chromosome aberration test after administration showed no statistically significant difference

with no dose-effect relations. Conclusion:① Cinnabar can cause chromosome aberrations in vitro at the dose of 12.5 g·L-1 in this test.However

there was no positive result in the cinnabar suspension chromosomal aberration test at the dose of 8.0 g·kg-1. ② Hamster (P. sungorus) in vivo chromosome aberration test can be used as an experimental method for evaluating the genotoxicity of new traditional Chinese medicines.