Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Equine Erythrocytes After in Vitro Treatment With Leaf Extract of Thymus Pulegioides L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

In line with our previous study, we continue to evaluate the antioxidant potential of four species and one interspecific hybrid of the Thymus genus sampled in the Western part of Ukraine on the equine erythrocyte model. Therefore, in the present study, the oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl derivatives content of protein oxidative modification, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)], as well as HCl-induced hemolysis in the equine erythrocytes, was used for assessing the antioxidant activity of extract obtained from the leaves of Thymus pulegioides L. in dose 5 mg/mL. Leaves of Th. pulegioides were collected among grass nearby land parcels (Syvky village, Bilohirya district, Khmelnytsky region, Ukraine; N 50°02´02,8´´, E 26°14´13,9´´, 306 m a.s.l.). Equine erythrocyte aliquots were used in the study. For positive control (blank), phosphate buffer was used. After incubation of the mixture at 37°C for 60 mins with continuous stirring, samples were used for the biochemical assays. Results of the current study revealed that the extract obtained from leaves of Th. pulegioides (5 mg/mL) has a mild cytotoxic activity on the equine erythrocytes increasing the level of lipid peroxidation biomarker and hemolysis rate. The investigation also revealed that this extract exhibited hemolytic activity. These findings suggest the use of Th. pulegioides extract in dose 5 mg/mL as a source of prooxidant compounds and warrant further studies to evaluate their therapeutic potential. The aldehydic and ketonic derivatives level, as well as total antioxidant capacity, was non-significantly altered after in vitro incubation with an extract obtained from leaves of Th. pulegioides. Screening of Thymus species for other biological activities including antioxidant activities is essential and may be effective for searching the preventive agents in the pathogenesis of some diseases as well as prevention and treatment of some disorders in medicine and veterinary.