Protective effects of extracts and flavonoids isolated from Scutia buxifolia Reissek against chromosome damage in human lymphocytes exposed to hydrogen peroxide.

Flavonoids are claimed to protect against cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer and ageing, possibly by preventing initial DNA damage. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction and flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and rutin) isolated from the leaves from Scutia buxifolia against chromosome damage induced by H₂O₂ in human lymphocytes by analyzing cellular growth rate, cell viability, mitotic index and chromosomal instability. We found a differential response among the compounds tested, with the ethyl acetate fraction being more effective than the crude extract, a difference perhaps related to the presence of the antioxidants identified and quantified by HPLC/DAD. In general, quercetin, isoquercitrin and rutin recovered the mitotic index and chromosomal instability more than quercitrin after treatment with hydrogen peroxide.