In vitro and in silico analyses of cytoprotective, antigenotoxic and antimutagenic potential of Phlomis pungens var. hirta extracts against oxidative damage

Phlomis pungens var. hirta Velen has been used by local people for food and to treat diseases but there are limited number of investigations in literature about this plant and cyto/genotoxicity analyses have not been done before. Hence, this study aimed to find out cell-protective activity and DNA damage prevention ability of P. pungens var. hirta by MTS, micronucleus, 8-OHdG and somatic mutation recombination tests (SMART). In addition, liquid chromatography, antioxidant/antibacterial activity analyses and in silico biological activity profiling were performed. The healthy lymphocyte cell growth was supported by the plant extracts and none of the extracts was genotoxic. 8-OHdG test showed that methanolic and ethanolic extracts of the plant were able to decrease the oxidative DNA damage. According to the SMART results, extracts could suppress the genotoxic effects of an important environmental pollutant, H2O2. Rutin hydrate and quercetin were found in highest concentrations and the extracts could be characterized as antioxidant/antibacterial. In silico analysis also showed that the major compounds of this plant can be considered as chemoprotective. This is the first study that assessed the cell protective activity and DNA damage prevention capacity of P. pungens var. hirta, which should be regarded as a potential source for nutritional supplements and therapeutic products.