Protective effect of Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn) and Decalepis hamiltoni Wight and Arn aqueous extracts against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage of human erythrocytes

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of Evolvulus alsinoides (EAA) and Decalepis hamiltoni (DHA) were investigated for their phytoconstituent profiles and radical scavenging potentials against various systems. Both the extracts were found to possess many therapeutic principles and showed strong antioxidant properties. To specifically look at the protective effect of the extracts against oxidative stress induced damage of erythrocytes, invitro hemolysis assay was performed by employing hydrogen peroxide and haemoglobin thus released was measured spectrophotometrically. Antihemolytic potential of the plant extracts was investigated by preincubating the red cells with increasing concentrations of plant extracts and percentage inhibition of hemolysis was assessed. A dose dependent rise in the extent of inhibition was observed and IC50 values of EAA and DHA in comparison to the standard antioxidant was found to be 15.19±1.09μg GAE, 18.14±2.11μg GAE and 17.16±1.75μg GAE respectively. In conclusion, both the plant extracts were found to be potentially anti hemolytic in nature and thus gives a rationale for their traditional use as blood purifiers