Antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of some bioflavours from wine

Monoterpenes limonene and its metabolic derivatives, α-terpineol and 1,8-cineol, commonly found as aroma wine components, were studied for their antimutagenicity by the bacterial reverse mutation assay on different strains. Substances were also tested for their antioxidant activity, i.e. radical scavenger, chelation, reduction, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Limonene and its metabolites, α-terpineol and 1,8-cineol, resulted able to inhibit the chemically-induced mutagenesis, although with a different specificity. The antimutagenicity of limonene has been generally retained by its metabolites and sometimes increased. In particular, α-terpineol exhibited the strongest inhibition, moreover it showed to be a remarkable ferrous ions chelating agent. Limonene and 1,8-cineol were devoid of antioxidant activity. Present results are a starting point in evaluating the potential of α-terpineol as a chemopreventive agent and suggest potential functional dietary benefits of wine.