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

Abstract Cellular integrity depends mainly on the stability of DNA, which can be disrupted by genetic mutations and aberrations. Here, we show that the cell-protective activity and DNA damage prevention ability of Phlomis pungens var. hirta have been investigated. We found cell protective activity, healthy cell proliferation promoter activity and DNA damage preventing capacity in the controlled in vitro assays. Additionally, P. pungens was shown to possess the ability to suppress the genotoxicity of H₂O₂ as an antigenotoxic agent. Rutin hydrate and quercetin are the major flavonoids in P. pungens, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, neuro- and hepatoprotective and Aβ-oligomer reducing activities. P. pungens has shown impressive activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as strong scavenging activity against various radicals. Subsequently, in silico software tools PubChem, pkCSM and PASS Online were used for biological activity profiling and toxicity predictions of the major compounds in P. pungens. All evaluations of P. pungens could be suggested as a potential source for dietary supplements and therapeutic products.