## 3 Results
### Comet Assay: H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)-Challenge  
In this study, the assessment of the DNA damage in PBMCs was conducted using the Comet assay to investigate the impact of the elderberry hydrolate concentrations and H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\) challenges. The results revealed a noteworthy elevation in DNA damage in the 'C+' group exposed solely to H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\), signifying heightened genotoxic effects (Figure 3). Additionally, a potential concentration-dependent relationship between the elderberry hydrolate treatments and DNA damage emerged, with higher concentrations displaying trends of increased damage compared to lower concentrations. Additionally, the H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)-challenged groups that underwent elderberry hydrolate treatment showcased a notable reduction in GDI, positioning them favorably against the 'C+' group. Analyzing the GDI data, it becomes evident that the optimal outcome emerged with the 1% treatment, showcasing the most minor DNA damage among all the tested concentrations. In the 'Basal Damage + Oxidative Damage' category, the 'EbH1' group exhibits the lowest mean DNA damage among the elderberry hydrolate-treated group. The control groups ('C', 'C1', 'C5', 'C10', 'C15') displayed diverse levels of DNA damage. Once again, the group exclusively treated with H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\) ('C+') demonstrated significantly higher mean DNA damage, indicating its pronounced genotoxic effects (Figure 4, Basal Damage + Oxidative Damage). Figure 3: Assessment of the genetic damage indicator (GDI) in human PBMCs. The mean values of the DNA damage, quantified as arbitrary units using the in vivo Comet assay, were determined in both the unchallenged and H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)-challenged groups. The ‘C’ designation corresponds to the control group treated exclusively with PBS. The designations ‘C1’, ‘C5’, ‘C10’ and ‘C15’ correspond to PBS treatment and the respective elderberry hydrolate concentration (1:1%, 5:5%, 10:10%, and 15:15%). ‘C+’ signifies the group subjected solely to H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\) treatment. The tested groups are distinguished by abbreviations denoting the constituent ingredient (EbH: elderberry hydrolate) and the respective elderberry hydrolate concentration (1:1%, 5:5%, 10:10%, and 15:15%). The quadruple asterisk stands for significant differences between the control treatment and all EbH treatments, but also between ‘C+’ and all control without the SN treatment. The error bars represent standard errors. Furthermore, in the 'Oxidative Damage NET' category, the 'EbH1' group exhibits the lowest mean DNA damage among the elderberry hydrate-treated groups. Similar to previous categories, the group exclusively exposed to H2O2 ('C+') showed notably higher mean DNA damage, emphasizing its heightened genotoxic impact. Analyzing the GDI data with Fpg (Figure 4, Oxidative Damage NET), it becomes evident that the optimal outcome emerged with the 1% treatment, showcasing the most minor DNA damage among all the tested concentrations. The effects of the different concentrations of elderberry hydrate on the DNA damage were examined under basal and basal plus oxidative stress conditions (Table 3). Under basal damage conditions, the control group ('C') showed a GDI of 15.00 and a % DNA  
Figure 4: Assessment of the oxidative purine DNA damage. The enhanced Comet assay in human PBMCs post-elderberry hydrolate treatment quantified the mean oxidative purine DNA damage values. The ‘C’ designation corresponds to the control group treated exclusively with PBS. The designations ‘C1’, ‘C5’, ‘C10’ and ‘C15’ correspond to PBS treatment and the respective elderberry hydrolate concentration (1:1%, 5.5%, 10:10%, and 15:15%). ‘C+’ signifies the group subjected solely to H2O2 treatment. The tested groups are distinguished by abbreviations denoting the constituent ingredient (EbH: elderberry hydrolate) and the respective elderberry hydrolate concentration (1:1%, 5:5%, 10:10%, and 15:15%). The error bars represent standard errors.