title: The fruit extract of Berberis crataegina DC: exerts potent antioxidant activity and protects DNA integrity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Yeditepe University, 34755, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. mohammad.saz@yeditepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charehsaz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Yeditepe University, 34755, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. hande.sipahi@yeditepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Hande
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sipahi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Yeditepe University, 34755, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. ecelep@yeditepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Celep
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100, Tandoğan, Ankara, Turkey. dur@pharmacy.ankara.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Üstündağ
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100, Tandoğan, Ankara, Turkey. oulker@pharmacy.ankara.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Cemiloğlu Ülker
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara University, 06100, Tandoğan, Ankara, Turkey. duydu@pharmacy.ankara.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Yalçın
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Duydu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Yeditepe University, 34755, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. ahmet.aydin@yeditepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydın
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Yeditepe University, 34755, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. yesilada@yeditepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yesilada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028142:Berberis; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl