Evaluation of Semecarpus kurzii Engler from Bay Islands for oxidative DNA damage protective activity and in vitro antioxidant potential

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Harnessing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is important for the betterment of mankind. We must safeguard traditional knowledge from misuse by miscreants living in modern societies and knowledge must be available in the public domain for use in drug designing in the healthcare system. Since the beginning of recorded history, Indians have used plants as a source of medicine, and their cultural past is incredibly rich. This study was conducted to evaluate the oxidative stress-induced DNA damage prevention and antioxidant potential of Semecarpus kurzii found in the Bay Islands.   Materials and Methods: The scavenging of superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide (NO), 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radicals, ferric reducing power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity were tested to determine antioxidant activity. DNA damage inhibition test was used to evaluate the protection against oxidative DNA damage.   Results: The S. kurzii extract showed dose-dependent scavenging of DPPH, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical and reducing power evaluated by comparing with standard antioxidants (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and BHT). However, the nitric oxide scavenging (IC50 =186.47) and superoxide scavenging (IC50 = 678.32) was more than that of DPPH (IC50 =28.03) and Hydroxyl radical (IC50 =89.10) scavenging capacity. In addition, S. kurzii extract and ascorbic acid showed lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. The extract also exhibited DNA protection which was confirmed by the DNA damage inhibition assay.   Conclusion: Our results corroborated that, the methanolic extract of S. kurzii bark has substantial antioxidant activity and DNA damage inhibition. The potential antioxidant and oxidative DNA damage preventive activity could be due to the existence of polyphenolic compounds in the S. kurzii bark.