Antioxidant and genoprotective properties of extracts from edible flowers

Enrichment of diet with edible flowers as sources of antioxidants may have beneficial effect on human health. The goal of the study was to check whether the popular edible flowers can provide protection against oxidative DNA damage, which is the main risk factor of aging and initiation of carcinogenesis. The analysis included hydrolates, 40 percent tinctures and essential oils from edible flowers Alcea rosea, Bellis perenis, Calendula officinalis, Calluna vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Citrus aurantium, Heliantus annuus, Hibiscus sabdarifa, Jasminum grandiflorum, Lavandula augustifolia, Matricaria chamomilla, Primula vulgaris, Rosa centifolia, Rosa damascena, Rosa rugosa, Sambucus nigra, Tagetes patula, Trifolium pratense and Viola cornuta. Antioxidant power, polyphenol content, cytotoxicity and DNA damage level were analysed. Oxidative DNA damage was induced by hydrogen peroxide. Most of the flowers acted as chemopreventive agents. Roses, French marigold, lavender, heather, elderflower, horned pansy and cornflower can be particularly useful in protecting human DNA against oxidative damage. The best antioxidant and genoprotective properties were observed in Rosa genus.