How Natural Waste Impacts DNA Damage in the Lab

Jenn Hoskins
13th April, 2024

How Natural Waste Impacts DNA Damage in the Lab

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Study at Trakya University found natural waste like smoketree leaves and pomegranate peels protect DNA from oxidative damage
  • Identified compounds like gallic acid and ellagic acid in these plants are responsible for their antioxidant effects
  • These findings suggest potential uses in medicine and cosmetics, promoting a sustainable approach by utilizing natural waste products
In recent years, the scientific community has turned its attention to natural products as potential sources of therapeutic agents. A new study from Trakya University[1] has explored the protective properties of natural waste products, specifically extracts from C. coggygria leaves and Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) peels, against oxidative DNA damage—a type of cellular damage that can lead to various diseases, including cancer. Oxidative DNA damage occurs when reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as those produced during the Fenton reaction, attack the DNA molecule. This can result in a specific form of damage known as 8-OH-2'dG, a marker generally used to estimate the extent of oxidative harm to DNA. To counteract this process, the body relies on antioxidants, which can neutralize ROS before they cause harm. The study by Trakya University sought to determine if certain natural waste products could serve as such antioxidants. The researchers focused on two specific plants: the smoketree (C. coggygria) and the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Previous research has established the medicinal properties of C. coggygria, including its antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects[2], as well as the high phenolic content of pomegranate peels with their strong antioxidant activities[3][4][5]. Building on this knowledge, the Trakya University study aimed to pinpoint the bioactive compounds within these plant extracts that might protect against oxidative DNA damage. The team employed a method called LC-MS/MS to analyze the extracts and identify the main compounds responsible for their protective effects. They discovered that ethanol extracts from both C. coggygria leaves and pomegranate peels exhibited a significant protective effect on DNA exposed to oxidative stress. The protective compounds in C. coggygria leaves included gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, myricetin, syringic acid, and ethyl gallate, while those in pomegranate peels were ellagic acid, abscisic acid, ethyl gallate, phlorizin, gallic acid, and myricetin. Gallic acid, in particular, has been identified as a major phenolic compound in previous studies of pomegranate peels[3][4], known for its antioxidant properties. Similarly, ellagic acid, another compound found in the pomegranate peel extracts, has been recognized for its health-promoting effects[5]. The presence of these compounds in both plants suggests a strong potential for their use in preventing oxidative DNA damage. The implications of these findings are significant. By demonstrating that these plant extracts can protect DNA from oxidative damage, the study suggests possible applications in medicine and cosmetics. For instance, these natural extracts could be used to develop new skin care products that protect against environmental stressors or be incorporated into dietary supplements to support the body's natural defense mechanisms. Moreover, the study highlights the value of utilizing natural waste products, contributing to a more sustainable approach in various industries. Instead of discarding pomegranate peels and smoketree leaves as byproducts, they could be harvested for their beneficial compounds, reducing waste and creating value from what would otherwise be discarded. In conclusion, the research from Trakya University offers a promising perspective on the use of natural plant extracts in protecting against oxidative DNA damage. It ties together earlier findings on the antioxidant capacity of C. coggygria and pomegranate peels[2][3][4][5], expanding our understanding of their bioactive compounds and paving the way for potential therapeutic and cosmetic applications. As the search for natural antioxidants continues, studies like this one are crucial in guiding the development of new health-promoting products.

EnvironmentHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Effects of natural waste on in vitro oxidative DNA damage.

Published 12th April, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2024.2340044

Related Studies

2) Integrating Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Cotinus coggygria and Toxicodendron vernicifluum: What Predictions can be Made for the European Smoketree?

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.662852

3) Phenolic Compounds of Pomegranate Byproducts (Outer Skin, Mesocarp, Divider Membrane) and Their Antioxidant Activities.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02950

4) Bioactive compounds of Punica granatum L. wastes by high performance liquid chromatography analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2041634

5) Antioxidant Effect of Moroccan Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. Sefri Variety) Extracts Rich in Punicalagin against the Oxidative Stress Process.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092219


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