The antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties of citrus phenolics limonene and naringin

Phenolic compounds not only contribute to the sensory qualities of fruits and vegetables but also exhibit several health protective properties. Limonene and naringin are the most popular phenolics found in Citrus plants. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant capacities of limonene and naringin by the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay and the cytotoxic effects by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MU) assay in Chinese hamster fibroblast (V79) cells. The genotoxic potentials of limonene and naringin were evaluated by micronucleus (MN) and alkaline COMET assays in human lymphocytes and V79 cells, Limonene and naringin, were found to have antioxidant activities at concentrations of 2-2000 mu M and 5-2000 mu M respectively. IC50 values of limonene and naringin were found to be 1265 mu M and 9026 mu M, respectively. Limonene at the concentrations below 10,000 mu M and naringin at the all concentrations studied, have not exerted genotoxic effects in lymphocytes and in V79 cells. Limonene and naringin at all concentrations revealed a reduction in the frequency of MN and DNA damage induced by H2O2. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.