DNA Protection and Antioxidant Potential of Chestnut Shell Extracts

Abstract

Castanea crenata is a species of chestnut originally native to South Korea and Japan. In this study, chestnut shell was investigated as a potential source of antioxidant compounds. Distilled water and ethanol extracts were prepared from chestnut shell and their antioxidant activities were investigated in vitro using different analytical methods, including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), hydroxyl, superoxide radical and nitrite scavenging, reducing (Fe3+ to Fe2+) power, linoleic acid oxidation inhibition and free radical‐induced DNA damage prevention activity. The extracts showed excellent radical‐scavenging activities and prevented free radical‐induced DNA damage. The antioxidant activity was highly correlated with the observed phenolic and flavonoid contents. Our results suggest that the extracts derived from chestnut shells could be a potent source of natural antioxidants. Practical Applications Chestnuts (Castanea crenata) are widely available in Korea. The chestnut inner shell has been used as a cosmetic material for a long time in Korea, and previous research has demonstrated that chestnut fruits and leaves contain phenolic compounds. However, little is known about the potential uses of chestnut shell. Chestnut has been sold as an anti‐wrinkle and anti‐aging compound when mixed with honey, and previous research on the chestnut inner shell has suggested that this material inhibited the biosynthesis of melanin. Recently, it has been reported that chestnut inner shell extracts inhibited the development of hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high‐fat diet. The food industry uses ∼7000 tons of chestnuts annually during the production of marron‐glacé, chestnut purée, etc. The peeling process generates a waste product, i.e., the shell, which accounts for ∼10% of the weight of whole chestnuts, and is used as fuel.

In vitro Antiproliferative and inhibition of oxidative DNA damage activities of n-butanol extract of Limonium bonduelli from Algeria

“…The extract showed high phenolic content which justified the antioxidant and DNA damage inhibition properties of the plant. This result agreed with the results of many other studies suggested that phenolic compounds can protect the DNA from the oxidative damage [28][29][30][31]. The DNA damage inhibition potential of the extract could be used in cancer prevention.…”

Phytochemical Profiles and Cellular Antioxidant Activities in Chestnut (Castanea mollissima BL.) Kernels of Five Different Cultivars

“…It has been demonstrated that chestnut is also rich in vitamin E and carotenoids [2,4]. In addition, chestnut fruit has long been considered beneficial to the functions for human as Chinese traditional medicine in "Compendium of Materia Medica" [5], and it has also been used as cosmetic supplement in Korea peninsula [6].…”

Effect of Steaming Processing on Phenolic Profiles and Cellular Antioxidant Activities of Castanea mollissima

“…Chinese chestnut ( Castanea mollissima Blume) is a native species in mainland China with a cultivation history of over 3000 years [ 1 ]. Chestnut has long been used as a kind of cosmetic supplement in Korea [ 2 ]. Moreover, chestnuts are a healthy food resource with high nutritional values, containing high levels of carbohydrates and proteins but zero cholesterol and gluten [ 3 ].…”