In Vivo Genotoxicity Evaluation of a No-Pain Pharmacopuncture Extract Using the Micronucleus Test

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of a recently developed no-pain pharmacopuncture (NPP) targeting muscle relaxation and analgesia using the micronucleus test. Methods: To evaluate the potential of NPP extracts to induce micronuclei in rat bone marrow cells, a micronucleus test was performed using male Sprague-Dawley rats. The test substance NPP was administered intramuscularly at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mL/animal. Saline was used as the negative control and cyclophosphamide as the positive control. Results: No NPP treatment-related deaths or abnormal changes in general appearance were observed at any dose level during the experimental period. No statistically significant differences in body weight were observed in any of the NPP dose groups compared to the saline negative control group. NPP did not cause a significant increase in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) and PCEs or in the ratio of PCE-to-total erythrocytes. Conclusion: The NPP extract did not exhibit genotoxic in Sprague–Dawley rat bone marrow cells under the conditions of this study. Further toxicity studies of the NPP extract are required. © 2023 Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute. All rights reserved.