| Abstract: | The effects of gallic acid and its esters on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and SOS response were investigated in bacterial assay systems, i.e., the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA104 and the SOS chromotest with E. coli PQ37. In the Ames test, gallic acid esters showed protective effects against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and no effects on the number of revertant colonies. In the SOS chromotest, gallic acid esters lowered the SOS induction factor raised by H2O2. Throughout the study, the effects of gallic acid itself were weak or negligible, and lauryl gallate was most effective among the three gallic acid esters. This structure-activity relationship indicates the similarity of the protective effects of gallic acid esters on the H2O2-induced damages to both bacterial and mammalian cells. |
