Genotoxicity Evaluation of Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfinate (PTS) from Allium genus Essential Oils by a Combination of Micronucleus and Comet Assays in Rats

Abstract

Propyl-propanethiosulfinate (PTS) is a component of Allium essential oils. This organosulfur molecule can be used as a feed additive to decrease the appearance of bacterial resistances caused by the residues of antibiotics. In previous in vitro genotoxicity studies, contradictory results were reported for PTS. In this work, the in vivo genotoxicity of PTS in male and female rats was assessed for the first time, following OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines. After oral administration (doses: 5.5, 17.4, and 55.0 mg/kg PTS body weight), a combination of the micronucleus (MN) assay (OECD 474) in bone marrow and the standard and enzyme-modified comet assay (OECD 489) was performed. After necropsy, histopathological studies were also carried out. The results did not show the in vivo genotoxicity of PTS at any doses assayed, revealed by the absence of increased MN, and DNA strand breaks or oxidative DNA damage in the standard and enzyme-modified comet assays. The histopathological study revealed that only the highest dose tested (55.0 mg/kg) in the liver and all dose groups in the stomach presented minimal pathological lesions in the organs studied. Consequently, the present work confirms that PTS is not genotoxic at the doses assayed, and it is a promising natural alternative to synthetic preservatives and antibiotics in animal feed.

Adverse Effect of Blue Light on DNA Integrity Is Accelerated by 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in HaCaT Human Keratinocyte Cells and B16F1 Murine Melanoma Cells

“…The neutral comet assay represents one technique to detect DSB in single cells [ 13 , 14 ], whereas the alkaline-modified comet assay can detect SSB and alkaline labile sites (ALS) [ 15 ]. Moreover, the enzyme-modified comet assay has enabled the detection of oxidative DNA damage using the bacterial repair enzymes formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III (Endo III), which release damaged purines and pyrimidines, respectively [ 16 ]. However, the shortcoming of the methods is that they cannot distinguish between DSB and SSB in the same cells.…”

In Vitro Toxicity Studies of Bioactive Organosulfur Compounds from Allium spp. with Potential Application in the Agri-Food Industry: A Review

“…Thus, acute studies [ 20 ] or subchronic toxicity studies of isolated substances (such as PTSO) [ 101 ] or extracts from plants of the Allium genus [ 102 ] were found. Among the in vivo toxicological studies, the genotoxicity tests (MN and comet) in rats are highlighted [ 103 , 104 ]. In general, no significant signs of toxicity neither genotoxic effect were observed in the subchronically studies or genotoxicity endpoints.…”

The Allium Derivate Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate Exerts Anti-Obesogenic Effects in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

“…Recently, the genotoxicity of PTS in male and female rats was assessed and 55 mg/kg was established as the maximum safe dose [ 21 ]. In the present study, we evaluated two dosages (0.1 or 1 mg/kg), which were far below this maximum threshold, and were thus considered safe.…”

“…Regarding PTS, there is evidence of its potential use as an additive for animal nutrition [ 18 ] and its antimicrobial and anti-coccidial properties in vitro [ 19 , 20 ]. Moreover, PTS was demonstrated to be toxicologically safe in rats [ 21 ]. However, to our knowledge, research so far has not investigated PTS in the context of its potential protective effects on metabolic health.…”