In vitro and in vivo assessment of the genotoxic activity of aloesin

Aloesin is a chromone that is a component of Aloe spp. It may have potential as a functional food ingredient as it has been shown to likely have beneficial effects in persons in a pre-diabetic state or who have metabolic syndrome. In this study the safety of aloesin has been evaluated using a series of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays including, bacterial mutation, mammalian cell cytogenetic, and mouse micronucleus tests. Aloesin did not induce reverse mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli at any of the tested dose levels up to 10,000 μg/plate. Similarly, aloesin did not increase the incidence of chromosome aberrations when incubated with Chinese hamster lung cells at any of the tested concentrations up to 10,000 μg/mL. In vivo, there was no effect of aloesin on the incidence of micronucleated erythrocytes following oral administration on two consecutive days at doses up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. There was no evidence of toxicity to bone marrow. The results of these studies demonstrate that aloesin is without genotoxic potential.

► Aloesin, a chromone, is a component of Aloe ferox and may have potential for use as a medical food. ► Aloesin was tested for in vitro genetic activity in a bacterial mutation and in a mammalian cell cytogenetic assay. ► Aloesin was tested for in vivo genetic activity in a mouse micronucleus assay. ► Under the test conditions employed, aloesin showed no evidence of genotoxic activity.