[1S-(1α,3aβ,4α,8aβ)]-decahydro-4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylene-1,4-methanoazulene

Genetic toxicity: in vitro

Administrative data

Endpoint:

in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

04 January 2021 - 15 January 2021

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2021

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)

Version / remarks:

21 July 1997 as updated in 2020

GLP compliance:

yes

Type of assay:

bacterial reverse mutation assay

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

[1S-(1α,3aβ,4α,8aβ)]-decahydro-4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylene-1,4-methanoazulene

EC Number:

207-491-2

EC Name:

[1S-(1α,3aβ,4α,8aβ)]-decahydro-4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylene-1,4-methanoazulene

Cas Number:

475-20-7

Molecular formula:

C15H24

IUPAC Name:

4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylenedecahydro-1,4-methanoazulene

Test material form:

liquid

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Source and lot/batch No.of test material: HH-20190720-11
- Purity: 94.6%
- Expiry Date 01.10.2021

Method

Species / strain

Species / strain 1

Species / strain / cell type:

E. coli WP2 uvr A

Species / strain 2

Species / strain / cell type:

S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Metabolic activation system:

Source of S9 - The Phenobarbitone / β-Naphthoflavone induced S9 Microsomal fractions (Sprague-Dawley) used in this study were purchased from Moltox; Lot No. 4272 and the protein level was adjusted to 20 mg/mL.

Method of preparation of S9 mix - The S9-mix was prepared before use using sterilized co-factors and maintained on ice for the duration of the test.
S9 5.0 mL
1.65 M KCl/0.4 M MgCl2 1.0 mL
0.1 M Glucose-6-phosphate 2.5 mL
0.1 M NADP 2.0 mL
0.2 M Sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) 25.0 mL
Sterile distilled water 14.5 mL

A 0.5 mL aliquot of S9-mix and 2 mL of molten, trace histidine or tryptophan supplemented, top agar were overlaid onto a sterile Vogel-Bonner Minimal agar plate in order to assess the sterility of the S9-mix. This procedure was repeated, in triplicate, on the day of each experiment.

Test concentrations with justification for top dose:

The maximum concentration was 5000 g/plate (the OECD TG 471 maximum recommended dose level). Eight concentrations of the test item (1.5, 5, 15, 50, 150, 500, 1500 and 5000 g/plate) were assayed in triplicate against each tester strain, using the direct plate incorporation method.

The dose range used for Experiment 2 was determined by the results of Experiment 1 and was 15, 50, 150, 500, 1500 and 5000 g/plate.

Six test item concentrations were selected in Experiment 2 in order to ensure the study achieved at least four non toxic dose levels as required by the test guideline and were selected based on the lack of cytotoxicity noted in Experiment 1 and the potential for a change in the cytotoxicity of the test item following the change in test methodology from plate incorporation to pre-incubation.

Vehicle / solvent:

- Justification for choice of solvent/vehicle:
The test item was immiscible in sterile distilled water and dimethyl sulphoxide at 50 mg/mL but was fully miscible in acetone at 100 mg/mL in solubility checks performed in house. Acetone was therefore selected as the solvent.

Identity: Acetone
Supplier: Acros Organics
Batch number, (purity), expiry 1922134, (99.98%), Jan 2022*

Controls

Negative solvent / vehicle controls:

yes

Positive controls:

yes

Positive control substance:

4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide

9-aminoacridine

N-ethyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

benzo(a)pyrene

other: 2-aminoanthracene

Details on test system and experimental conditions:

The test item was accurately weighed and, on the day of each experiment, approximate
half-log dilutions prepared in high purity acetone by mixing on a vortex mixer. Formulated concentrations were adjusted to allow for the stated water/impurity content (5.4%) of the test item. Acetone is toxic to the bacterial cells at 0.1 mL (100 µL) after employing the pre-incubation modification; therefore all of the formulations for Experiment 2 were prepared at concentrations two times greater than required on Vogel-Bonner agar plates. To compensate, each formulation was dosed using 0.05 mL (50 µL) aliquots (Maron et al., 1981). All test item preparation and dosing was performed under yellow safety lighting.
All formulations were used within four hours of preparation and were assumed to be stable for this period. Analysis for concentration, homogeneity and stability of the test item formulations is not a requirement of the test guidelines and was, therefore, not determined. This is an exception with regard to GLP and has been reflected in the GLP compliance statement.

Without Metabolic Activation
A 0.1 mL aliquot of the appropriate concentration of test item, solvent or 0.1 mL of the appropriate positive control was added together with 0.1 mL of the bacterial strain culture, 0.5 mL of phosphate buffer and 2 mL of molten, trace amino-acid supplemented media. These were then mixed and overlayed onto a Vogel Bonner agar plate. Each concentration of the test item, appropriate positive and solvent controls and each bacterial strain, was assayed using triplicate plates. Untreated controls were also performed in triplicate on the same day as the mutation test.
With Metabolic Activation
The procedure was the same as described previously (see 3.3.2.2) except that untreated controls were not performed and, following the addition of the test item formulation and bacterial culture, 0.5 mL of S9 mix was added to the molten, trace amino-acid supplemented media instead of phosphate buffer.

Incubation and Scoring
All of the plates were incubated at 37 ± 3 C for between 48 and 72 hours and scored for the presence of revertant colonies using an automated colony counting system. The plates were viewed microscopically for evidence of thinning of the background bacterial lawn (toxicity).

Test for Mutagenicity: Experiment 2 – Pre-Incubation Method
As the result of Experiment 1 was considered negative, Experiment 2 was performed using the pre-incubation method in the presence and absence of metabolic activation (S9-mix).

Without Metabolic Activation
A 0.1 mL aliquot of the appropriate bacterial strain culture, 0.5 mL of phosphate buffer and 0.05 mL of the appropriate concentration of test item formulation or solvent or 0.1 mL of appropriate positive control were incubated at 37 ± 3 C for 20 minutes (with shaking) prior to addition of 2 mL of molten, trace amino-acid supplemented media and subsequent plating onto Vogel Bonner plates. Each concentration of the test item, appropriate positive and solvent controls and each bacterial strain, was assayed using triplicate plates. Untreated controls were also performed in triplicate on the same day as the mutation test.

With Metabolic Activation
The procedure was the same as described previously (see 3.3.3.2) except that untreated controls were not performed and, following the addition of the test item formulation and bacterial strain culture, 0.5 mL of S9 mix was added to the tube instead of phosphate buffer, prior to incubation at 37 ± 3 C for 20 minutes (with shaking) and addition of molten, trace amino-acid supplemented media. All testing for this experiment was performed in triplicate.

Incubation and Scoring
All of the plates were incubated at 37 ± 3 C for between 48 and 72 hours and scored for the presence of revertant colonies using an automated colony counting system. The plates were viewed microscopically for evidence of thinning of the background bacterial lawn (toxicity).

Evaluation criteria:

There are several criteria for determining a positive result. Any, one, or all of the following can be used to determine the overall result of the study:
1. A dose-related increase in mutant frequency over the dose range tested (De Serres and Shelby, 1979).
2. A reproducible increase at one or more concentrations.
3. A fold increase greater than two times the concurrent solvent control for TA100, TA98 and WP2uvrA or a three-fold increase for TA1535 and TA1537

A test item is considered non-mutagenic (negative) in the test system if the above criteria are not met.
Although most experiments give clear positive or negative results, in some instances the data generated prohibit making a definite judgment about test item activity. Results of this type are reported as equivocal.

Statistics:

The plate scoring system contains built-in statistical analysis which is automatically performed during the scoring process using Dunnett’s Regression Analysis. However, statistical analysis was not required in result assessment.

Results and discussion

Test results

Test results 1

Key result

Species / strain:

E. coli WP2 uvr A

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Genotoxicity:

negative

Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:

no cytotoxicity

Vehicle controls validity:

valid

Untreated negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Test results 2

Key result

Species / strain:

S. typhimurium TA 100

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Genotoxicity:

negative

Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:

no cytotoxicity

Vehicle controls validity:

valid

Untreated negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Test results 3

Key result

Species / strain:

S. typhimurium TA 98

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Genotoxicity:

negative

Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:

no cytotoxicity

Vehicle controls validity:

valid

Untreated negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Test results 4

Key result

Species / strain:

S. typhimurium TA 1537

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Genotoxicity:

negative

Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:

no cytotoxicity

Vehicle controls validity:

valid

Untreated negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Test results 5

Key result

Species / strain:

S. typhimurium TA 1535

Metabolic activation:

with and without

Genotoxicity:

negative

Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:

no cytotoxicity

Vehicle controls validity:

valid

Untreated negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

In this Reverse Mutation Assay ‘Ames Test’ using strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (OECD TG 471) the test item Longifolene Coeur did not induce an increase in the frequency of revertant colonies that met the criteria for a positive result, either with or without metabolic activation (S9-mix). Under the conditions of this test Longifolene Coeur was considered to be non-mutagenic.

Executive summary:

Introduction

The test method was designed to be compatible with the guidelines for bacterial mutagenicity testing published by the major Japanese Regulatory Authorities including METI, MHLW and MAFF, the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals No. 471 “Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test”, 21 July 1997 as updated in 2020, Method B13/14 of Commission Regulation (EC) number 440/2008 of 30 May 2008, the ICH S2(R1) guideline adopted June 2012 (ICH
S2(R1) Federal Register. Adopted 2012; 77:33748-33749) and the USA, EPA OCSPP harmonized guideline - Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test.

 

Methods

Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98 and TA100 and Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA were treated with the test item using both the Ames plate incorporation and pre-incubation methods at up to eight dose levels, in triplicate, both with and without the addition of a rat liver homogenate metabolizing system (10% liver S9 in standard co-factors). The dose range for Experiment 1 (plate incorporation) was based on the guidance given in OECD TG 471 and was 1.5 to 5000 µg/plate. As the overall result of Experiment 1 was Negative, Experiment 2 was performed using the pre-incubation method with fresh cultures of the bacterial strains and fresh test item formulations. The dose range was modified following the results of Experiment 1 and was 15 to 5000 µg/plate. Six test item concentrations were selected in Experiment 2 in order to ensure the study achieved at least four non-toxic dose levels as required by the test guideline, and were selected based on the lack of cytotoxicity noted in Experiment 1, and the potential for a change in the cytotoxicity of the test item following the change in test methodology from plate incorporation to pre-incubation.

 

Results

The solvent (acetone) control plates gave counts of revertant colonies within the normal range. All of the positive control chemicals used in the test induced marked increases in the frequency of revertant colonies, both with and without metabolic activation. Thus, the sensitivity of the assay and the efficacy of the S9-mix were validated.
The dose level of the test item in the first experiment was selected as the OECD TG 471 recommended maximum dose level of 5000 µg/plate. There was no visible reduction in the growth of the bacterial background lawn at any dose level, either in the presence or absence of metabolic activation (S9-mix), in the first mutation test (plate incorporation method).
Based on the results of Experiment 1, the same maximum dose level (5000 µg/plate) was employed in the second mutation test (pre-incubation method). Similarly, there was no visible reduction in the growth of the bacterial background lawn at any dose level, either in the presence or absence of metabolic activation (S9-mix).

A test item precipitate (globular in appearance) was noted at 5000 µg/plate in both the presence and absence of metabolic activation (S9-mix) in Experiments 1 and 2. The precipitate did not prevent the scoring of revertant colonies.
There were no significant increases in the frequency of revertant colonies recorded for any of the bacterial strains, with any dose of the test item, either with or without metabolic activation (S9-mix) in Experiment 1 (plate incorporation method).
Similarly, no significant increases in the frequency of revertant colonies were recorded for any of the bacterial strains, with any dose of the test item, either with or without metabolic activation (S9-mix) in Experiment 2 (pre-incubation method).

 

Conclusion

In this Reverse Mutation Assay ‘Ames Test’ using strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (OECD TG 471) the test item Longifolene Coeur did not induce an increase in the frequency of revertant colonies that met the criteria for a positive result, either with or without metabolic activation (S9-mix). Under the conditions of this test Longifolene Coeur was considered to be non-mutagenic.