Protective Effects of Aqueous Propolis Extract from the Artvin-Hatila Region of Türkiye Against Zinc Oxide-Induced Genotoxicity: Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, and Phytochemical Evaluation

This study investigated the protective effects of an aqueous propolis extract obtained from the Artvin-Hatila region of Türkiye against genotoxic stress induced by zinc oxide (ZnO) exposure in Allium cepa root meristem cells. Cytogenetic parameters such as mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities, and micronucleus formation were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was measured using DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays. The phenolic compound profile was determined via HPLC, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were spectrophotometrically quantified. The results demonstrated that the 100 mg/L concentration of propolis significantly reduced ZnO-induced cytogenetic damage. At both lower and higher concentrations, this effect was diminished, and genotoxicity increased in some parameters. The findings suggest that the phenolic compounds in propolis may suppress ZnO-related genotoxic stress and, when applied within an appropriate dose range, contribute to maintaining cellular structural integrity in biological systems. These results indicate that propolis may represent a promising natural resource for the development of alternative protective strategies against environmental toxic agents.