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Cinnamaldehyde-induced micronuclei in rodent liver
E Mereto1, G Brambilla-Campart, M Ghia
1Institute of Pharmacology, University of Genoa, Italy.
Mutation Research
|July 1, 1994
Summary
High doses of cinnamaldehyde, a common flavoring agent, may cause genetic alterations at the chromosomal level, particularly in the liver. Further research is needed to understand its potential promoting activity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Food Science
Background:
- Cinnamaldehyde is a widely used flavoring agent with limited and contradictory genotoxicity data.
- Previous genotoxicity tests were primarily in vitro, necessitating further in vivo investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo genotoxicity of cinnamaldehyde using multiple end-points.
- To investigate the potential promoting activity of cinnamaldehyde in rat liver.
Main Methods:
- In vivo genotoxicity assays in Sprague-Dawley rats and Swiss mice, including alkaline elution and micronucleus tests.
- Assessment of DNA fragmentation, micronucleated cells, and nuclear anomalies in liver, gastric mucosa, bone marrow, and forestomach.
- Evaluation of cinnamaldehyde's promoting activity in N-nitrosodiethylamine-initiated rats.
Main Results:
- Cinnamaldehyde did not induce DNA fragmentation in rat liver or gastric mucosa.
- Increased micronucleated hepatocytes and nuclear anomalies in rat forestomach mucosa were observed.
- A clastogenic effect was noted in the liver of both rats and mice, while bone marrow and forestomach showed negative responses.
- Cinnamaldehyde exhibited potential promoting activity in rat liver foci.
Conclusions:
- High doses of cinnamaldehyde can induce chromosomal genetic alterations, with the liver as the primary target organ.
- The findings suggest potential genotoxic and promoting effects of cinnamaldehyde at high doses.