Protective Effects of Aqueous Propolis Extract from the Artvin-Hatila Region of Türkiye Against Zinc Oxide-Induced Genotoxicity: Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, and Phytochemical Evaluation

Öz

This study investigated the protective effects of an aqueous propolis extract obtained from the Artvin-Hatila region of Türkiye against genotoxic stress induced by zinc oxide (ZnO) exposure in Allium cepa root meristem cells. Cytogenetic parameters such as mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities, and micronucleus formation were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was measured using DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays. The phenolic compound profile was determined via HPLC, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were spectrophotometrically quantified. The results demonstrated that the 100 mg/L concentration of propolis significantly reduced ZnO-induced cytogenetic damage. At both lower and higher concentrations, this effect was diminished, and genotoxicity increased in some parameters. The findings suggest that the phenolic compounds in propolis may suppress ZnO-related genotoxic stress and, when applied within an appropriate dose range, contribute to maintaining cellular structural integrity in biological systems. These results indicate that propolis may represent a promising natural resource for the development of alternative protective strategies against environmental toxic agents.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Propolis
• Antimutagenicity
• Antioxidant activity
• Phenolic composition
• Allium cepa
• HPLC analysis

Etik Beyan

This study was conducted in accordance with general ethical standards for experimental research and did not involve any human or animal subjects. The plant material (Allium cepa) used in the study was obtained from a commercial source, and all procedures were carried out in line with internationally accepted scientific ethical principles. Since the experimental model did not involve organisms requiring ethical approval, no ethics committee permission was necessary.

Türkiye'nin Artvin-Hatila Bölgesinden Elde Edilen Propolisin Sulu Ekstraktının Çinko Oksit Kaynaklı Genotoksisiteye Karşı Koruyucu Etkileri: Antimutajenik, Antioksidan ve Fitokimyasal Değerlendirme

Öz

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’nin Artvin-Hatila bölgesinden elde edilen propolisin sulu ekstraktının, çinko oksit (ZnO) maruziyeti ile oluşturulan genotoksik strese karşı Allium cepa kök hücrelerindeki koruyucu etkileri araştırılmıştır. Mitotik indeks, kromozomal anormallikler ve mikronükleus oluşumu gibi sitogenetik parametreler değerlendirilmiş; ayrıca propolisin antioksidan kapasitesi DPPH, FRAP ve CUPRAC analizleriyle belirlenmiştir. HPLC ile fenolik bileşik profili analiz edilmiş, toplam fenolik ve flavonoid içeriği spektrofotometrik olarak ölçülmüştür. Sonuçlar, 100 mg/L konsantrasyonundaki propolis ekstraktının ZnO kaynaklı sitogenetik hasarı anlamlı şekilde azalttığını göstermektedir. Düşük ve yüksek konsantrasyonlarda bu etki zayıflamış, hatta bazı parametrelerde genotoksik etki artmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, propolisin içerdiği fenolik bileşiklerin ZnO kaynaklı genotoksik stresi baskılayabileceğini ve uygun doz aralığında uygulandığında, biyolojik sistemlerde hücresel düzeyde yapısal bütünlüğü korumaya katkı sağlayabilecek doğal bir biyokoruyucu ajan niteliği taşıyabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar, propolisin çevresel toksik ajanlara karşı alternatif koruyucu stratejilerin geliştirilmesinde değerlendirilebilecek potansiyel bir doğal kaynak olabileceğine işaret etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Propolis
• Antimutajenik Etki
• Antioksidan Aktivite
• Fenolik Bileşik Profili
• Allium cepa
• HPLC Analizi

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma, canlı deneyler için genel etik kurallara uygun olarak yürütülmüş olup, herhangi bir hayvan veya insan deneği kullanılmamıştır. Araştırmada kullanılan Allium cepa bitkisel materyali, ticari olarak temin edilmiş ve deneysel süreçler uluslararası bilimsel etik standartlara göre gerçekleştirilmiştir. Etik kurul onayı gerektirecek bir canlı modeli kullanılmadığı için etik kurul izni alınmamıştır.

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