Genotoxicity testing of sodium formononetin-3′-sulphonate (Sul-F) by assessing bacterial reverse mutation, chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus tests

•Sul-F, up to 4000 μg/mL, did not induce genotoxicity in Ames test.•Sul-F, up to 1600 μg/mL, did not induce chromosomal aberrations in CHL cells.•2000 mg/kg Sul-F didn't induce micronucleus formation in the bone marrow of mice.

As part of a safety evaluation, we evaluated the potential genotoxicity of sodium formononetin-3′-sulphonate (Sul-F) using bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosomal aberrations detection, and mouse micronucleus test. In bacterial reverse mutation assay using five strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535), Sul-F (250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 μg/plate) did not increase the number of revertant colonies in any tester strain with or without S9 mix. In a chromosomal assay using Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (CHL) cells, there were no increases in either kind of aberration at any dose of Sul-F (400, 800, and 1600 μg/mL) treatment groups with or without S9 metabolic activation. In an in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test in ICR mice, Sul-F at up to 2000 mg/kg (intravenous injection) showed no significant increases in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, and the proportion of immature erythrocytes to total erythrocytes. The results demonstrated that Sul-F does not show mutagenic or genotoxic potential under these test conditions.