The Protective Effects of Some Phenylethanoid Glycosides on the Mitomycin C Induced DNA Strand Breakage

A growing number of scientific concern is focusing on the significance of natural compounds that can act as protectants against diseases. Phenolic phytochemicals are a large group of substances ubiquitous in plants and found in significant quantities in vegetables, fruits and beverages such as teas. They have a number of biological effects in vivo and in vitro and have been regarded as possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antiallergic agents1,2. Some of the phenolic phytochemicals such as flavonoids have been suggested to inhibit oxidative damage and effectively protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of reactive species3,4. However, the full chemical properties and effects of phenolic phytochemicals have not completely been examined and it is also unclear whether all phenolic phytochemicals have beneficial effects. There is also considerable evidence that some phenolic phytochemicals are mutagenic and clastogenic in both mammalian and bacterial experimental systems5,6. Phenylethanoid glycosides are a group of phenolic compounds mainly spread in several botanical families of Tubiflorae (Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae)7,8. Considering the widespread occurrence of phenylethanoids in plants, relatively little has been done on the mutagenic and/or antimutagenic activity of this group of compounds. Further studies are warranted with respect to evaluation of their activity and/or their toxicity. Hacettepe University, Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy Volume 24 / Number 1 / January 2004 / pp. 1-11