Phenolic Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Primula vulgaris and Its Antigenotoxic Effect on Fibroblast Cells

Background Primula vulgaris has been used in traditional treatment, and its biological functions are attributed to its polyphenolics content. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the phenolics composition and the antioxidant activity of water extract of P. vulgaris (WEP) and to determine its probable preventive effects against H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in human fibroblast cells. Methods The total polyphenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity of WEP were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Phenolic compounds and antigenotoxic effects of WEP were evaluated using HPLC and comet assay, respectively. Results The TPC and FRAP values of WEP were 15.023 ± 0.84 mg gallic acid and 82.63 ± 0.31 μM trolox per g sample, respectively. ρ-coumaric acid and rutin were detected as major phenolics. Moreover, WEP reduced H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in a concentration dependent manner in fibroblast cells compared to the positive controls (only 20 μM H₂O₂ treatment). Conclusions Primula vulgaris can be used in food, cosmetics, and drug industries because of its antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities.