DNA damage protection and 5-lipoxygenase inhibiting activity of areca (Areca catechu L.) inflorescence extracts

DNA damage caused by free radical is associated with mutation-based health impairment. The protective effect on DNA damage mediated by hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite radical, and the inhibiting activity on 5-lipoxygenase of areca inflorescence extracts were studied in vitro. The results show that the boiling water extract significantly restrain the oxidative damage of pBR322 plasmid DNA induced by free radical, and synergize with trolox. Also, the inhibiting activity of boiling water extract on 5-lipoxygenase was higher than that of trolox. The antioxidant evaluation shows that the boiling water extract has the strongest inhibiting activity on β-carotene autoxidation and the scavenging activity on ABTS radical cation. The total phenolics concentration for boiling water extract was 5.81 mg GAE/g.