Rutin as Deoxyribonuclease I Inhibitor

DNase I inhibitory potential of water extract of nine Hypericum species ( H. umbellatum , H. barbatum , H. rumeliacum , H. rochelii , H. perforatum , H. tetrapterum , H. olympicum , H. hirsutum , H. linarioides ) and the most important Hypericum secondary metabolites (hypericin, hyperforin, quercetin, and rutin) was investigated. All examined Hypericum extracts inhibited DNase I with IC 50 below 800 μg/ml, whereby H. perforatum was the most potent ( IC 50 =391.26±68.40 μg/ml). Among the investigated Hypericum secondary metabolites, rutin inhibited bovine pancreatic DNase I in a non‐competitive manner with IC 50 value of 108.90±9.73 μ m . DNase I inhibitory ability of rutin was further confirmed on DNase I in rat liver homogenate ( IC 50 =137.17±16.65 μ m ). Due to the involvement of DNase I in apoptotic processes the results of this study indicate the importance of frequent rutin and H. perforatum consumption in daily human nutrition. Rutin is a dietary component that can contribute to male infertility prevention by showing dual mechanism of sperm DNA protection, DNase I inhibition and antioxidant activity.