Polyphenolic extract of Blighia sapida arilli prevents N-nitrosodiethylamine-mediated oxidative onslaught on microsomal protein, lipid and DNA

• Blighia sapida scavenges reactive oxygen species.
• Blighia sapida prevents NDEA-induced oxidative stress in rat microsomes.
• Blighia sapida prevents NDEA-induced oxidation of microsomal protein.
• Blighia sapida prevents NDEA-induced peroxidation of microsomal lipids.
• Blighia sapida prevents NDEA-induced fragmentation of microsomal DNA.

Polyphenolic extract of Blighia sapida arilli was evaluated for reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and detoxification potentials in rat microsomes. ROS scavenging potentials of the polyphenolic extract of B. sapida (0.2–1.0 mg/mL) was investigated using DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and ferric ion reducing system. The detoxification of ROS was evaluated in N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced redox imbalance in rat microsomes. B. sapida polyphenolic extract (1.0 mg/mL) scavenged DPPH, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical by 60, 67, 63, and 57%, respectively, while ferric ion was significantly reduced. N-nitrosodiethylamine-mediated decrease in the activities of ROS detoxifying enzymes was significantly (P<0.05) attenuated. N-nitrosodiethylamine-mediated elevation in the concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl and percentage DNA fragmentation were significantly (P<0.05) lowered by B. sapida polyphenolic extract. Overall, the polyphenolic extract of B. sapida arilli elicited ROS scavenging and detoxification potentials and prevented lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA fragmentation.