Genoprotective and DNA Repair Activities of Fruit Pulp Ethanol Extract from Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Abstract

DNA is continuously degraded by numerous genotoxic agents including intracellular reactive oxygen species produced by cell metabolism and exogenous environmental pollutants. These genotoxic agents destroy the DNA integrity leading to carcinogenesis or cell death. An increased consumption of vegetables, fruits and other foods rich in antioxidant compounds can protect DNA from oxidative damage and prevent cell carcinogenesis. This study was designed to investigate in vitro the genoprotective and DNA repair activities of the fruit pulp ethanol extract from Detarium microcarpum against two known mutagenic agents such as hydrogen peroxide and methyl methane sulfonate. To assess the genoprotective and DNA repair activities of extract, human lymphocytes in culture were treated with the extract before or after the genotoxic agent exposing. The amount of DNA damages was assessed by using the standard comet assay. The fruit pulp extract in concentration up to 500 µg/mL, compared to vehicle didn’t affect the integrity of DNA. Interestingly, the genotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide and methyl methane sulfonate on human lymphocytes were significantly reduced by the extract pre-treatment. In addition, the DNA damages induced by hydrogen peroxide and methyl methane sulfonate were repaired further to the extract addition. The fruit pulp ethanol extract from Detarium microcarpum contains bioactive compounds that can preserve the integrity of DNA from the deleterious effects of genotoxic agents. The daily intake of this fruit pulp as food supplement could prevent DNA damages and carcinogenesis.