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

Antonio Cascajosa-Lira,Rosario Moyano,Verónica Molina-Hernández,Alberto Baños,Ana M Cameán,Ana I Prieto,Enrique Guillamón,Ángeles Jos,Leticia Díez-Quijada Jiménez,Silvia Pichardo,María Puerto

doi:10.3390/foods10050989

Antonio Cascajosa-Lira, Rosario Moyano + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10050989

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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.

Highlights

Allium species and their essential oils have been extensively used for medical applications and as a flavoring agent
The results obtained in the positive and negative control groups in others and recent studies [29] were similar to those obtained in the present work for comet and micronucleus assays
The combined in vivo MN-comet assay protocol showed that PTS did not produce genotoxic effects in the stomach, liver, blood cells, and bone marrow of male and female rats orally exposed to 5.5, 17.4, and 55.0 mg/kg b.w

Summary

Introduction

Allium species and their essential oils have been extensively used for medical applications and as a flavoring agent. Vegetables of the genus Allium (e.g., garlic or onion) are well known for their antioxidant and anticancer properties in humans [1]. Other properties such as antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiasthmatic, anti-amnesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory urease/xanthine oxidase inhibitory, and prebiotic properties have been described [2,3,4,5,6]. Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are secondary metabolites of plants from the Allium genus (e.g., thiosulfinates and ajoenes) with biological activity, and they have a characteristic aroma. These molecules are generated when tissues of these plants are damaged. Alliinase degrades the initial compounds into new ones exerting biological activity [7]

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