In vitro genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of an exopolysaccharide isolated from Lactobacillus salivarius KC27L

Exopolysaccharide isolated from Lactobacillus salivarius (new genus name Ligilactobacillus) KC27L strain (EPS_KC27L) exhibits antioxidant properties with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazase (DPPH) radical and superoxide anion radical (O₂^-.) scavenging effect and iron ion (Fe²⁺) chelating activity. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro genotoxic effects of EPS_KC27L alone (12.50, 25.00, 50.00, and 100.00 μg/mL) and its antigenotoxic activity against DNA damage induced by mitomycin-C (MMC; 0.20 μg/mL), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 5.00 μg/mL), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂; 100 μM). For this purpose, chromosome aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN), and comet assays were performed in human peripheral lymphocytes. In addition, the structure of EPS_KC27L was investigated in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). EPS_KC27L alone did not cause a significant genotoxic effect in CA, SCE, MN, and comet tests. EPS_KC27L significantly decreased the frequency of CA, SCE, and MN induced by MMC and MMS. EPS_KC27L also significantly reduced DNA damage induced by H₂O₂. This study showed that the EPS_KC27L alone has no genotoxic risk at these concentrations and shows antigenotoxic activity against MMC, MMS, and H₂O₂. Consequently, EPS_KC27L was found to exhibit chemopreventive activity against genotoxic agents. This effect is believed to be due to the antioxidant properties of EPS_KC27L.