Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biomedical Sciences
Date of Award
12-2003
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Phillip R. Musich
Committee Members
Yue Zou, Krishna Singh, David A. Johnson
Abstract
Dietary flavonoids are ubiquitous and are marketed as supplements. Characterized as antioxidants, they offer protection against a number of degenerative diseases. Flavonoid mechanics involve free radical scavenging, metal chelation, and substrate association. The skeletal structure of flavonoids is a fused ring system modified by hydroxyl, sugar, and carbohydrate additions. Flavone is a structurally simple flavonoid. Quercetin and its glycosidic analog rutin are complex structures. Using a DNA oxidation/cleavage assay, flavone reduces DNA nicking by 91%. Depending on the solvent system used, quercetin can either increase or decrease DNA oxidation. Rutin exhibits neither pro- nor antioxidant activity. The molecular interactions responsible for these results are defined for flavone. 1) Flavone intercalates into DNA and saturates DNA at a 1/3.5 flavone:DNA molar ratio. 3) Flavone reduces iron-dependent DNA oxidation. 4) Flavone interacts with quercetin to enhance DNA protection. These results characterize the primary activities of a simple flavonoid.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Dean, Jennifer Dawn, "Flavone: the Molecular and Mechanistic Study of How a Simple Flavonoid Protects DNA from Oxidative Damage." (2003). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 849. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/849
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.