Investigation of Chlorophyllin in CHO-k1 (wild-type) and CHO-xrs5 (repair-deficient) Cells by a Chromosomal Aberration Assay

Chlorophyllin, a sodium-copper salt derivative of chlorophyll a and b was evaluated at concentrations of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 μg/ml with regard to its clastogenic and anticlastogenic potential in Chinese hamster ovary cells CHO-k1 (wild-type) and CHO-xrs5 (DNA repair-defective), using a chromosomal aberration test. Cells were subjected to continuous exposure for 12 h to chlorophyllin in the presence or absence of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS, 310 μg/ml). The results demonstrate that under the experimental conditions utilized, chlorophyllin was not cytotoxic nor clastogenic in either of the cell systems employed. Moreover, anticlastogenic activity was also not observed.