LAUSR

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of raw mini tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) juice powder to attenuate cytotoxicity in combination with juice powders from two orange species [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and Citrus unshiu Marcow]. To this end, the hepatoprotective activities of these combinations against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells were evaluated, and the most suitable ratios for optimal flavonoid availability were identified. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) and the extent of upregulation of phase-ІІ proteins such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were quantified to assess the hepatoprotective effects of four different ratios of these powders. Three main compounds–hesperidin, narirutin, and rutin were analyzed by simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the 2:1:3 powder mixture were 8.69 mg/g GAE and 2.56 mg/g QE, respectively. The levels of these contents were correlated with the decrease in ROS, increase in GSH level, and restoration of HO-1. Furthermore, the hepatoprotective efficacy of each of the four ratios was attributed to its flavonoid content. These results indicate that combinations of juice powders, particularly at a ratio of 2:1:3, are a potentially useful therapeutic source of phenolic compounds for the treatment of oxidative stress-related hepatotoxicity. Practical applications Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.), Unshiu mikan (Citrus unshiu Marcow) and mini tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are rich sources of phenolic compounds which are consumed frequently in Korea. This research provides proper understanding of the consumption of these fruits in combination to deliver effective amount of phenolic compounds to promote human health and fight against oxidative stress related diseases. The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective effect through prevention of oxidative stress, suggesting that combinations of juice powders may have beneficial effects in preventing hepatic diseases.