Dietary spices protect against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage and inhibit nicotine-induced cancer cell migration

► We analysed the effect of 9 spices on DNA damage and cancer cell migration. ► The spices had high phenolic content. ► Most of the spices protected DNA against H2O2-induced genotoxicity. ► Pepper, long pepper and ginger inhibited cancer cell migration. ► There was positive correlation between DNA protection and the spice phenols. Spices are rich sources of antioxidants due to the presence of phenols and flavonoids. In this study, the DNA protecting activity and inhibition of nicotine-induced cancer cell migration of 9 spices were analysed. Murine fibroblasts (3T3-L1) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were pre-treated with spice extracts and then exposed to H2O2 and nicotine. The comet assay was used to analyse the DNA damage. Among the 9 spices, ginger, at 50μg/ml protected against 68% of DNA damage in 3T3-L1 cells. Caraway, cumin and fennel showed statistically significant (p