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Protective Effect of Juglans regia L. Walnut Extract Against Oxidative DNA Damage

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Abstract

Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) are relevant components of the Mediterranean diet providing important macronutrients, micronutrients and other bioactive constituents including unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytosterols and polyphenols. Although the walnut beneficial effects in human health are widely recognized by a lot of epidemiologic studies very little is known regarding its effect on damaged DNA. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Juglans regia L. ethanolic extract from kernel on the induction of DNA strand breaks by thiol/Fe3+/O2 mixed function oxidase, tert-butyl hydroperoxide or UVC radiations in acellular and cellular models. Plasmid DNA cleavage and fast Halo assay were used to monitor oxidative damage to DNA. Both approaches showed protection of oxidatively injured DNA. These results agree with a lot of scientific proofs which recommend walnut as dietary adjunct in health promotion and prevention as well as in treatment of lifestyle-related oxidative diseases.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

analysis of variance

CPD:

cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium

DMSO:

dimethylsulphoxide

DSB:

double strand break

DTT:

1,4-dithiothreitol

EDTA:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EtBr:

ethidium bromide

HEPES:

(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid)

JRE:

Junglans regia ethanolic extract

MFO:

thiol/Fe3+/O2 mixed-function oxidase

MTT:

(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dipheniltetrazolium bromide)

NDF:

nuclear diffusion factor

ON:

overnight

PBS:

phosphate buffered saline

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

SSB:

single strand break

tBOOH:

tert-buthylhydroperoxide

UVC:

ultraviolet C

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Acknowledgements

The present research was supported by funds of the University of Urbino Carlo Bo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via A. Saffi 2, I-61029, Urbino, PU, Italy

    Cinzia Calcabrini, Roberta De Bellis, Umberto Mancini, Luigi Cucchiarini, Vilberto Stocchi & Lucia Potenza

  2. Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, I 47921, Rimini, RN, Italy

    Cinzia Calcabrini

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  1. Cinzia Calcabrini
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  2. Roberta De Bellis
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Correspondence to Lucia Potenza.

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Calcabrini, C., De Bellis, R., Mancini, U. et al. Protective Effect of Juglans regia L. Walnut Extract Against Oxidative DNA Damage. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 72, 192–197 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-017-0609-2

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