Protective effects of stem bark of Harungana madgascariensis on the red blood cell membrane

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia is a condition that has multiple origins. One such origin is the destruction of red blood cells’ (RBCs) membrane induced by free radicals. Treatment of anemia could therefore be enhanced by the use of free radicals’ scavengers potentially found in some medicinal plants. In this study, the protective effect of Harungana madagascariensis on the RBCs’ membrane physiology was investigated in vitro and in vivo.MethodsIn vitro hemolytic anemia was induced by incubation of fresh human RBCs with carbontetrachloride (CCl4) in Olive oil (Oo). Relaxation times of protons excited at 20 MHz (Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence) in the absence or presence of paramagnetic Mn2+ ions (T2i for “extracellular” water and T2a for “intracellular” water, respectively) were determined at several temperatures (25–37°C) via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) on a Bruker Minispec spectrometer. Water exchange times (Te) were consequently calculated using the Conlon-Outhred equation: 1/Te = (1/T2a) – (1/T2i). Morphological characteristics (mean cell volume, V, and cell surface area, A) were determined by photonic microscopy and the RBCs’ diffusional water permeability (Pd) was calculated as Pd = (1/Te)*(Va/A), where Va is the aqueous volume in the RBC and is about 0.7 of the cell volume (V). The activation energy of the diffusional process (Ea) for the respective temperature range was estimated using the Arrhenius modified equation k = A(T/T0)n*e-Ea/RT. Inhibition of the water diffusion induced by incubation with para-chloro-mercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) at 25, 30 and 37°C was calculated as I(%) = [(Pd control – Pd sample)/Pd control]*100.To investigate the protective influence of the extract on the RBC membrane, inhibition of the water permeability was evaluated on membranes pre-incubated with the Harungana madagascariensis extract. Male rats were used in in vivo investigations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and cholesterol in the RBC membrane were estimated by induction of lipid peroxidation while the antioxidant properties of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the membrane were evaluated in regard to their antioxidant properties on the membrane.ResultsT2a significantly decreased at each temperature. Te results were higher in both RBCs and RBCs + extract groups incubated with PCMB compared to non-incubated controls, but differences were not statistically significant. A high percentage (73.81 ± 7.22) of RBCs pre-incubated with the extract presented the regular biconcave shape. Inhibition by PCMB of the RBCs’ membrane water permeability was increased at 30°C and decreased in the presence of extract (25°C and 37°C), while Ea decreased from 30.52 ± 1.3 KJ/mol to 25.49 ± 1.84 KJ/mol. Presence of the Harungana madagascariensis extract normalized the SOD and CAT activities as well as the MDA and membrane cholesterol concentrations altered by the CCl4-induced oxidative stress.ConclusionHarungana madagascariensis could protect the RBCs’ membrane through its antioxidative properties.

In VitroIon Chelating, Antioxidative Mechanism of Extracts from Fruits and Barks ofTetrapleura tetrapteraand Their Protective Effects against Fenton Mediated Toxicity of Metal Ions on Liver Homogenates

“…Indeed the CFH sample has the highest phenolic and flavonoid content between the tested samples. Previous study demonstrated that phenols are good preventers of lipid peroxidation and may be used against deleterious effects of the ROS on cell membrane [10, 13]. In the same way, it has been shown that quercetin may protect mouse erythrocytes from iron-mediated lipid peroxidation by binding iron [45].…”

“…Indeed, humans have developed very complex antioxidant systems both enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and nonenzymatic (vitamins E and C, thiol antioxidants), which work in synergistic way to protect the cells and organ systems against free radical damage by quenching free radicals and/or chelating redox metals at physiologically related levels [9, 10]. However, under conditions which promote a high state of OS, endogenous antioxidants may not be sufficient [3, 11].…”

Phenolic Content of Hypodaphnis Zenkeri and Its Antioxidant Effects against Fenton Reactions’ Mediated Oxidative Injuries on Liver Homogenate

“…Lipid peroxidation assay was performed by a formerly described protocol [10]. Phosphate buffer 0.58 mL (0.1 M; pH 7.4), 200 μL sample, 200 μL liver homogenate, and 20 μL ferric chloride (100 mM) were combined to form a mixture, which was placed in a shaking water bath for 1 h at 37 °C.…”

“…In order to contain the harmful effects of ROS, the body has natural antioxidants that are the cell’s defense mechanisms such as glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q, ferritin, uric acid, bilirubin, metallothionein, l -carnitine, melatonin, enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), thioredoxins (TRX) and peroxiredoxins (PRXs) which scavenge reactive species [9,10,11,12,13]. Despite the presence of the cell’s antioxidant defense system to counteract oxidative damage from ROS, oxidative damage accumulates during the life cycle and the natural defense could be overcome by the ROS [9].…”

In vitro antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidative activities of bark extracts of Xylopia aethiopica against ion-mediated toxicity on liver homogenates

“…They act as scavengers by donating one of their own electrons in order to replace the stolen electron from free radicals [8,9]. Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) is an evergreen, aromatic tree, largely found in West, Central and Southern Africa.…”