In vitro testing for genotoxicity of violacein assessed by Comet and Micronucleus assays

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram (−) bacteria found in water samples and soils from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Violacein, the major pigment produced by these bacteria, has been shown to have antibiotic, antitumoral and trypanocidal activities. In the present work, the genotoxicity of violacein was investigated in four different cell lines by using the alkaline Comet assay and in VERO cells using the Micronucleus test. In the alkaline Comet assay, violacein, when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.19 to 1.5 μM, did not induce a significant increase in DNA damage in HEp-2 and MA104 cells. However, violacein was positive for DNA damage in FRhK-4 cells and for both DNA damage and micronuclei in VERO cells, in a concentration–response relationship. The results of this study indicated that violacein is genotoxic in VERO and FRhK-4 cells. These findings contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of the pharmacological potential of violacein.