Protective effect of Berberis vulgaris on Fenton reaction-induced DNA cleavage

Abstract

<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Objective:</strong><em> Berberis vulgaris</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> contains antioxidants that can inhibit DNA cleavage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and protective activity of <em>B. vulgaris</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> on DNA cleavage.</span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Materials and Methods:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> In this study, the antioxidant capacity of <em>B. vulgaris </em></span><span style="font-size: medium;">was investigated using DPPH and its protective effect was evaluated on </span><em><span style="font-size: medium;">pBR322</span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"> plasmid and lymphocyte genomic DNA cleavage induced by Fenton reaction, by DNA electrophoresis.</span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Results:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> Aqueous extract of <em>B. vulgaris</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> presented dual behavior with a potent antioxidant activity at 0.25and 0.75mg/ml for pBR322 plasmid and lymphocyte genomic DNA, respectively, but a pro-oxidant activity was observed at higher concentrations.</span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> Our results indicated that <em>B. vulgaris</em></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> extract an inhibit Fenton reaction-induced DNA cleavage and oxidative cleavage of double-stranded DNA assay is a powerful technique that can be used to determine the antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of a compound on cellular components such as DNA.</span>