Anticancer drugs cause anemia in patients through eryptosis and hemolysis. We thus studied the in vitro toxicity of galangin (GAL) in red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs were exposed to 50–500 μM of GAL and analyzed for markers of eryptosis and hemolysis. Ca2+ nucleation, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, oxidative stress, and cell size were detected via fluorescence-activated cell sorting using Fluo4/AM, annexin-V-FITC, 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, and forward scatter (FSC), respectively. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured via Ellman’s assay and ultrastructural morphology was examined via scanning electron microscopy. Membrane rupture and extracellular hemoglobin, aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed via colorimetric methods. Distinct experiments were carried out to identify protective agents and signaling pathways using small-molecule inhibitors. GAL triggered sucrose-sensitive hemolysis with AST and LDH leakage, increased annexin-V-FITC and Fluo4 fluorescence, and decreased FSC and AChE activity which was associated with the formation of granulated echinocytes. Ca2+ omission and energy replenishment with glucose, adenine, and guanosine blunted PS externalization and preserved cellular volume. Moreover, caffeine, Trolox, heparin, and uric acid had similar ameliorative effects. Hemolysis was abrogated via caffeine, Trolox, heparin, mannitol, lactate, melatonin, and PEG 8000. Notably, co-treatment of cells with GAL and staurosporin, D4476, or acetylsalicylic acid prevented PS externalization whereas only the presence of SB203580 and NSC23766 rescued the cells from GAL-induced hemolysis. Ca2+ nucleation and metabolic collapse mediated by PKC/CK1α/COX/p38/Rac1 drive GAL-induced eryptosis and hemolysis. These novel findings carry ramifications for the clinical prospects of GAL in anticancer therapy.
