Objective: The integrity of the DNA is continously menaced by the harmful genotoxic compounds. The endogenous system responsible for preserving the DNA integrity, often fails following a massive influx of these genotoxic compounds. Reseaches on exogenous bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables are necessary.  This study was designed to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity and the DNA protection/repair potentiality of the extracts of Detarium microcarpum fruit pulp to protect against the arsenic trioxide-induced DNA oxidative degradation.
Materials and Methods: The ability of extracts to trap free radicals was assessed by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and hydroxyle radicals quenching assay. The comet assay was performed for evaluating the DNA protection/repair property of extracts to inhibit the DNA oxidative damage induced by arsenic trioxide.
Results: All extracts at a final concentration of 50 µg/mL have quenched more than 50% of DPPH, nitric oxide and hydroxyle radicals. Moreover, all extracts have showed good DNA protection/repair activity against the arsenic trioxide-induced DNA oxidative damage compared to arsenic treatment alone (p<0.001). However, methanol fractions have exhibited the best DNA protection/repair activities by reducing considerably DNA fragmentations compared to arsenic treatment (p<0.001). The genoprotective activity of the extracts was positively correlated with their free radical scavenging abilities.
Conclusion: The methanol fraction of D. microcarpum fruits have exhibited interesting DNA protection /repair properties probably due to its free radicals quenching ability. Further investigations are necessary to identify the phytomolecules responsible for these biological activities.