The ability of luteolin, kaempferol and apigenin to bind to calf thymus (ct)-DNA, mode of action and stability of flavonoids in buffer were investigated. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed a rapid degradation of apigenin in an aqueous medium, while kaempferol and luteolin were stable for 24h upon dissolution in water. Spectrophotometric study of the interactions of kaempferol and luteolin with calf thymus DNA suggests classic intercalation as their dominant binding mode to DNA. Cytotoxicity/genotoxicity and cytoprotective/genoprotective effects of flavonoids in non-stressed and hydrogen peroxide stressed human peripheral lymphocytes were investigated using the fluorescent dye exclusion method and alkaline comet assay. Flavonoids revealed significant genoprotective effects in hydrogen peroxide stressed cells and in cells submitted to longer incubation in the cell culture medium. Luteolin, followed by apigenin and kaempferol, was shown to be the most effective in protecting DNA from oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. However, the investigated flavonoids also induced DNA damage, indicating their prooxidative capacity. The balance between the protection of DNA from oxidative damage and prooxidative effects was strongly dependent on flavonoid concentration and the incubation period.
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