Abstract
BackgroundDried fruits of Berberis crataegina (Berberidaceae) have been frequently consumed as food garniture in Turkish cuisine, while its fruit paste has been used to increase stamina and in particular to prevent from cardiovascular dysfunctions in Northeastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This study investigated this folkloric information in order to explain the claimed healing effects as well as to evaluate possible risks.MethodsTotal phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents and antioxidant capacity of the methanolic fruit extract were evaluated through several in vitro assays. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of B. crataegina fruit extract were also assessed in both cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human peripheral blood lymphocytes.ResultsThe extract showed protective effects against ferric-induced oxidative stress and had a relatively good antioxidant activity. It also ameliorated the H2O2 mediated DNA damage in lymphocytes, suggesting the protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.ConclusionThe methanolic extract of B. crataegina fruits may be a potential antioxidant nutrient and also may exert a protective role against lipid peroxidation as well as oxidative DNA damage.
Highlights
Dried fruits of Berberis crataegina (Berberidaceae) have been frequently consumed as food garniture in Turkish cuisine, while its fruit paste has been used to increase stamina and in particular to prevent from cardiovascular dysfunctions in Northeastern Black Sea region of Turkey
Previous reports have shown that the fruits of various Berberis species are rich in polyphenolic constituents and eventually fruit extracts have shown to possess potent free radical-scavenging activity [19-21] due to the polyphenolic compound’s ability to act as hydrogen donors, reducing agents and radical scavengers [1]
Limited numbers of studies have previously been reported the phenolic contents of the fruits of Berberis species, i.e. B. vulgaris, [23] while no report have been found on the polyphenolics of B. crataegina fruits in a reference survey
Summary
Dried fruits of Berberis crataegina (Berberidaceae) have been frequently consumed as food garniture in Turkish cuisine, while its fruit paste has been used to increase stamina and in particular to prevent from cardiovascular dysfunctions in Northeastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This study investigated this folkloric information in order to explain the claimed healing effects as well as to evaluate possible risks. There are four naturally occurring species of Berberis in Turkey. Similar utilizations for the roots of several other Berberis species have been reported elsewhere. In Uzbekistan, condensed aqueous extract of B. oblonga root is reported to be prescribed for the effective treatment of lumbago [8], while in Nepal, the condensed aqueous extract of B. asiatica Roxb. root barks is reported to be used orally against fever and in Pakistan powdered roots of B. lycium Royle are used orally with milk to treat rheumatic and muscular pains [5]
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