Cisplatin is used for treating multiple types of
cancers. Alongside its
therapeutic effects, there are side effects, including cytotoxicity and genotoxicity for healthy cells, which are mainly related to
radical oxygen species (ROS) production by the drug. These side effects could troublesome the treatment process. Previous studies have suggested that members of Pinaceae family are rich sources of
antioxidant components. This article investigates the
antioxidant activity (AA) of Pinus eldarica (Pinaceae) along with its cyto/genoprotective effects following
cisplatin exposure on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cell line. Pinus eldarica's hydroalcoholic bark extract (PEHABE) and P. eldarica's needle
volatile oil (PENVO) were prepared using maceration and hydrodistillation methods, respectively. PENVO was analysed via gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, and the total phenolic content of PEHBAE was measured by
folin-ciocalteu
reagent. AA of both PEHABE and PENVO were determined using DPPH assay. Moreover, MTT test was used to determine the cytoprotective effects of both agents. Comet and micronucleus (MN) tests were also performed to investigate the genoprotective effect of P. eldarica.
Germacrene D (35.72%) was the main component of PENVO. PEHABE showed higher AA compared with PENVO, with the highest AA observed at 25 and 250 μg/ml, respectively. Both PENVO and PEHABE were cytoprotective, with the latter having mitogenic effects on cells at 75, 100, and 200 μg/ml concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Also, both PEHABE and PENVO showed genoprotective effects against
cisplatin in comet assay (P < 0.001). As PEHABE's concentrations were increased, a reduced number of MN formation was observed after
cisplatin's exposure (P < 0.001). In conclusion, PEHABE had higher AA compared with PENVO, and both agents had cyto/genoprotective effects on HUVECs.