Leaf and root extracts of Moricandia arvensis protect against DNA damage in human lymphoblast cell K562 and enhance antioxidant activity.

Four extracts were prepared from the roots and leaves of Moricandia arvensis: root chloroform extract (ChlR), leaf chloroform extract (ChlL), root ethyl acetate extract (EAR) and leaf ethyl acetate extract (EAL). The genotoxic and antigenotoxic properties of these extracts were investigated by assessing the induction and inhibition of the genotoxicity induced by the direct-acting mutagen, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), using the "Comet assay." It appears that none of the different extracts produces a genotoxic effect, except the highest tested concentrations of the leaf extracts which were capable to eliciting DNA damage. Human lymphoblast cells K562 were pretreated with different concentrations of each extracts and then treated by H(2)O(2), for the antigenotoxic study. The results showed that all extracts inhibited the genotoxicity induced by H(2)O(2) and particularly ChlR (42.5μg/ml) and ChlL (65μg/ml) extracts. In addition, antioxidant potential study of root and leaf extracts using different antioxidant tests indicated that root extracts possess a potent antioxidant activity through namely their capacity to transfer electrons.