Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant activities and the antigenotoxic effects of acetone, ethanol, methanol and water extracts from four different parts (calyx, seed, peel and flesh) of persimmon fruits. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryllhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (RSA), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammononium salt) RSA and reducing power (RP). Seed and calyx extracts showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activities and phenolic contents than peel and flesh extracts. This study also showed that ethanol was more effective on the extraction of antioxidant compounds from persimmon compared to other solvents. The antigenotoxic effects of the persimmon extracts on DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ in human leukocytes was evaluated by Comet assay. All persimmon extracts inhibited DNA damage induced by 200 µM of H₂O₂. Especially, calyx and seed extracts showed stronger inhibition activity than peel and flesh extracts. Therefore, these results suggest that persimmon extracts may have beneficial effects on oxidant and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.

Key words: Persimmon extract, antioxidant activities, antigenotoxic effect.