Protective effects of xanthohumol against the genotoxicity of heterocyclic aromatic amines MeIQx and PhIP in bacteria and in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells

► Xanthohumol (XN) is not a bacterial mutagen and does not induce genomic instability. ► XN prevents PhIP and MeIQx induced DNA damage at nanomolar concentrations. ► The mechanism of protection involves up-regulation of UGT1A1 gene expression. ► XN may exert chemoprevention at doses relevant for human dietary exposure.