Abstract: Purpose and methods : The potential mutageni city of arginine esterase from Agkistrodon halys ussuriensis venom was studied by Ames test, micronu cleus test of polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow and sperm shape abnormality test in mice to evaluate its safety for clinical application. Results and conclusion: The results of all the three testes were negative. It was suggested that the arginine esterase is not mutagenic to the tested strains, to the somatic cells and to the male germ cells. If Its gene mutagenesis was considered as an important factor, arginine esterase is still safe at the dosage of about 100 times clinical dosage.

Key words: arginine esterase, Ames test, micronucleus test, sperm shape abnormality test