Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
An Automated Method to Perform The In Vitro Micronucleus Assay using Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: May 13, 2019
Evaluation of the effect of steviol on chromosomal damage using micronucleus test in three laboratory animal species
P Temcharoen1, M Suwannatrai, S Klongpanichpak
1Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
Abstract:
The chromosomal damage activity of steviol, a product of enzymatic alteration of stevioside, a natural non-caloric sweetener was reevaluated by using a bone marrow micronucleus test in both male and female hamsters, rats and mice. The micronucleus test is used widely as a rapid and efficient alternative in chromosome analysis for detecting in vivo cytogenetic damage. Steviol at the dose of 4 g/kg body weight for hamsters and 8 g/kg body weight for rats and mice showed no effect on the frequencies of micronucleus formation in bone marrow erythrocytes of both male and female hamsters, rats and mice. Moreover, there was also no apparent change in the PCEs:NCEs (polychromatic erythrocytes:normochromatic erythrocytes) ratio of the male animals of all three treated species at 24, 30, 48 and 72 hour intervals. However, steviol at the given dose can cause significant reduction of PCEs to NCEs ratio of the female hamsters at 72 hours and female rats and mice at 48 and 72 hours after receiving steviol orally. From these results, it could be proposed that steviol at the given dose to the treated animals produced adverse metabolites and these metabolites could reach the bone marrow, the target organ for micronucleus test. These metabolites also exhibited a slightly cytotoxic effect but not clastogenic effect to the bone marrow erythrocytes.
Insights
Steviol, derived from stevioside sweetener, showed no chromosomal damage in male rodents. However, it caused cytotoxic effects in female rodents, indicating potential adverse metabolite formation.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Food Science
Background:
- Steviol is a metabolite of stevioside, a natural sweetener.
- The micronucleus test is a standard method for assessing in vivo cytogenetic damage.
- Previous studies on steviol's genotoxicity have yielded varying results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reevaluate the chromosomal damage activity of steviol using the bone marrow micronucleus test.
- To assess potential genotoxic or cytotoxic effects in male and female hamsters, rats, and mice.
- To investigate the dose-dependent effects and potential metabolite formation.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow micronucleus test in male and female hamsters, rats, and mice.
- Administration of steviol at 4 g/kg (hamsters) and 8 g/kg (rats, mice) body weight.
- Analysis of micronucleus formation and polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) to normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) ratios at various time intervals.
Main Results:
- Steviol did not affect micronucleus formation in any tested animals.
- No changes in the PCE:NCE ratio were observed in male animals across all species and time points.
- A significant reduction in the PCE:NCE ratio was observed in female hamsters (72 hours) and female rats and mice (48-72 hours).
Conclusions:
- Steviol at the tested doses did not exhibit clastogenic effects (chromosomal breakage).
- Adverse metabolites of steviol may be formed, exhibiting slight cytotoxicity in female rodents' bone marrow.
- Further research is needed to identify these metabolites and elucidate their specific mechanisms of action.
Related Concept Videos
02:36DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
01:25Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals