Poly)phenol metabolites from Arbutus unedo leaves protect yeast from oxidative injury by activation of antioxidant and protein clearance pathways

•A. unedo leaf phenolics protects S. cerevisiae from oxidative stress.•A. unedo leaf phenolics activates cellular antioxidant machinery.•A. unedo leaf phenolics modulates SOD1, SOD2, RPN4, GSH1 and GSH2 in cells exposed to H2O2.•A. unedo constitutes a powerful matrix to be explored as a functional food.•A. unedo nutraceutical potential is relevant to oxidative stress-associated diseases.