In vivo analysis of antigenotoxic and antimutagenic properties of two Brazilian Cerrado fruits and the identification of phenolic phytochemicals

Abstract Numerous studies have evaluated the safety and possible therapeutic properties of phytochemicals and other dietary compounds. The degree of oxidative DNA damage, mutagenic effects and protective effects of two selected fruits (Gabiroba and Murici) from the Brazilian Cerrado biome were investigated with two different extract concentrations (200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight) by comet assay and micronucleus test in male albino Swiss mice. Results from both assays showed that the Murici extract (400 mg extract per kg body weight) provided the highest protection against hydrogen peroxide and cyclophosphamide and it also did not present any mutagenic and genotoxic effects, although both fruits presented non-mutagenic/non-genotoxic properties. Gabiroba and Murici extracts were also analyzed by HPLC–MS and their phenolic constituents were identified and quantified. This assay revealed the presence of catequina, ethyl gallate and propyl gallate (79.11, 3.11, 0.95 mg 100 g − 1 of dry weight, respectively) in Gabiroba samples and resveratrol and ferulic acid (0.31, 42.47 mg 100 g − 1 of dry weight, respectively) in Murici samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report that analyses mutagenic and protective effects and the degree of oxidative DNA damage and the determination of phenolic composition for these fruits from Cerrado.