Determination of antioxidant and bimolecular protective effect of Berberis calliobotrys Aitch. ex Koehne extracts and essential oil against H2O2 induced oxidative damage to pBR 322 DNA and RBCs.

We investigated the protective effect of fractions and essential oil from Berberis calliobotrys on H2O2 induced oxidative damage on pBR322 DNA. The crude plant material was extracted using 90% methanolic and liquid-liquid fractionation was accomplished. The essential oil analysis was performed using GC/MS. The FRAP and DPPH assays were performed to determine antioxidant activity. The DNA protection assay was performed using plasmid pBR 322 DNA. The essential oil analysis indicated presence of germacrene D (9.26%), stearic acid (7.50%), methyl tetradecanoate (6.36%) α-thujene (5.71%) and α-muurolol (5.30%) methyl eugenol (5.17%). In vitro analysis showed significant antioxidant activity of all tested extracts and essential oil. The extract showed significant effects at (1000 µg/mL) on pBR322 DNA. Finally it was concluded that Berberis calliobotrys possesses signifgant protective on effects pBR322 DNA and RBC cellular membrane.