New insight into the antigenotoxic activity of Gentiana lutea extracts – Protective effect against food borne mutagens

•Gentian root and leaf extracts were rich in gentiopicroside and homoorientin.•Strong antigenotoxic effect against food mutagens IQ and PhIP was demonstrated.•High radical scavenging activity was determined for leaf extract and mangiferin.•Up-regulation of Nrf2 expression contributed to observed antigenotoxicity.•Depletion of GSH induced by mutagens was almost prevented by gentian compounds.