Exploring the Antimutagenic and Antigenotoxic Potential of Arbutus unedo L. Fruits
ABSTRACT
Objective:
This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, genoprotective potential, and genotoxic safety of Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree) fruit ethanolic (EtOH) and aqueous extracts.
Materials and Methods::
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. unedo fruits were analysed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was employed to check the presence of some specific phenolic compounds. Genotoxicity and genoprotection were assessed using the Ames test, alkaline comet assay, and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells.
Results:
The EtOH extract showed significantly higher TPC (46.46 ± 0.56 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g) and TFC (14.23 ± 1.18 mg catechin equivalent [CE]/g) than the aqueous extract (TPC: 33.66 ± 1.80 mg GAE/g; TFC: 8.90 ± 0.24 mg CE/g), which was consistent with stronger antioxidant activity in the CUPRAC (114.86 ± 5.33 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g), FRAP (47.48 ± 1.70 mg TE/g), and DPPH (89.86 ± 0.83 mg TE/g) assays. No mutagenic or genotoxic effects were detected in either extract in all genotoxicity tests. Moderate antimutagenic activity was observed only at the highest concentration (5000 µg/plate) of the EtOH extract in the TA100 strain with S9 metabolic activation in the Ames test. However, no significant DNA protection was observed against doxorubicin-induced damage in either the comet or micronucleus assays.
Conclusion:
Arbutus unedo fruit extracts, particularly the EtOH extract, are rich in phenolic antioxidants and do not exhibit genotoxic effects under the tested conditions. These findings support the safe use of A. unedo fruits in the food industry and their potential as natural sources of antioxidants.
Keywords:
Arbutus unedo,
antioxidant activity,
micronucleus assay,
Comet Assay,
Ames test,
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