Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities in Acacia salicina extracts and its protective role against DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radical

► The antioxidant potency and the antimutagenic activity of A. salicina extracts were investigated. ► The content of phenols, total flavonoids and sterols were also estimated in the tested extracts. ► A.salicina possesses antioxidant and antimutagenic activities, which could be ascribed to flavonoids, phenols and sterols. ► A.salicina may serve as an ideal candidate for a cost-effective, readily exploitable natural phytochemical preparation.