Protective Effects of Extracts and Flavonoids Isolated from Scutia buxifolia Reissek against Chromosome Damage in Human Lymphocytes Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide

Aline Augusti Boligon,Luiz Filipe Machado,Margareth Linde Athayde,Ivana Beatrice Manica da Cruz,Olmiro de Souza Filho,Michele Rorato Sagrillo,Michel Mansur Machado

doi:10.3390/molecules17055757

Abstract

Flavonoids are claimed to protect against cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer and ageing, possibly by preventing initial DNA damage. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction and flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and rutin) isolated from the leaves from Scutia buxifolia against chromosome damage induced by H2O2 in human lymphocytes by analyzing cellular growth rate, cell viability, mitotic index and chromosomal instability. We found a differential response among the compounds tested, with the ethyl acetate fraction being more effective than the crude extract, a difference perhaps related to the presence of the antioxidants identified and quantified by HPLC/DAD. In general, quercetin, isoquercitrin and rutin recovered the mitotic index and chromosomal instability more than quercitrin after treatment with hydrogen peroxide.

Highlights

IntroductionThe consumption of plant products is associated with a lowering risk of number of chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer [2]
In recent years, focus on plant research has increased all over the World [1]
The HPLC profile of crude extract and ethyl acetate from the leaves of S. buxifolia was acquired (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

The consumption of plant products is associated with a lowering risk of number of chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer [2] These beneficial effects have been partly attributed to antioxidants, which may play important roles in inhibition of free radicals and oxidative chain-reactions within tissues and membranes [3]. Phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and tannins are secondary plant metabolites, and an important part of both human and animal diets [4,5]. Phenolics and flavonoids are known to possess antimutagenic activity, among other important biological properties [11]

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Discussion

Conclusion