In vivo and in vitro antioxidant activities of Diyarbakir watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit species with high value of production and consumption in the world and Turkey. In Turkey, watermelon is adaptable to be grown widely both in Çukurova region as well as where appropriate climate region of Southeastern Anatolia. The watermelon known as Diyarbakır watermelon is "Sürme" type, which belongs to Citrullus lanatus species. This type has high medicinal value due to its fiber content. Diyarbakır watermelon is a local type grown on the banks of the Tigris River. There is no data in the literature on its antioxidant activity and effects on organisms. The present thesis was undertaken to evaluate in vivo and in vitro antioxidant properties of Diyarbakır watermelon juice and lyophilisates. The vitamins, sugar and elemental analysis of Diyarbakır watermelon were also performed. The effect of lyophilisate on cell viability and toxicity was investigated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and microtox experiments. In vivo lipid peroxidation and protein carboxylation inhibition effects of watermelon juice and lyophilisates on arsenic-induced damages on tissues in rats as well as their effects on liver function tests and catalase activity were also investigated. Consequently, Diyarbakır watermelon juice and lyophilisate were found to have in vitro antioxidant activity and the inhibition effect against three human cancer cell lines. It was also observed that, watermelon juice and lyophilisate were found to have a protective effect against in vivo lipid peroxidation and protein carboxylation on arsenic-induced toxicity in rats. Also, Diyarbakır watermelon was found to be rich with vitamins and the main group elements necessary for human body Na, K, Ca, Mg and trace elements such as Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Co, Cu and Se.