Protection from UV-B-induced DNA damage by flavonoids.

In this study an in vitro run-off transcription assay was used to determine if flavonoids can prevent the accumulation of UV-B-induced DNA damage. Template plasmid DNA was irradiated with UV-B light, which resulted in a decreased capacity to support transcription. Purified flavonoids naringenin and rutin as well as flavonoid extracts from apple skin prevented the accumulation of DNA damage. The results support the hypothesis that flavonoids protect DNA from UV-induced DNA damage.