Genotoxicity Evaluation of Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. mayuen Stapf Sprout

Background: ‘Johyun’ yulmoo which is a new variety of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf sprout (CS), is the most widely known as medicinal crop for its effects against anti-inflammatory activity. Despite its medicinal activity, there has been no examination of its genotoxicity. Here, we investigated the genotoxicity of CS using Good Laboratory Practice.<br/>Methods and Results: An in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, bacterial reverse mutation assay, and micronucleus test were conducted. 1. Chromosome aberration assay : Structural aberrations and aberrant metaphases were not detected at any concentrations of CS tested in this study. 2. Bacterial reverse mutation assay : CS did not induce mutagenicity or affect the number of revertant colonies at any of the tested doses for all five strains for the 50 ㎍/㎖ treated group, with or without metabolic activation with the microsomal enzyme mixture (S9 mixture). 3. Micronucleus test : The percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes among the total polychromatic erythrocytes population compared to the percentage in the negative control group was not affected at any of the CS dosing groups tested.<br/>Conclusions: CS did not induce any genotoxicity, as determined by the in vitro chromosome aberration test, bacterial mutation assay, and micronucleus test.