Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the ability of ethanol fruit extract from Detarium microcarpum to protect erythrocytes against hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. To achieve this objective, hemolytic, anti-hemolytic and lipid peroxidation from cell membrane assays were used. Hemolytic and anti-hemolytic activities (regarding H2O2 induced hemolysis) were assessed by determination of free haemoglobin at 540 nm. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was measured at 532 nm, using thiobarbituric acid reaction on sodium nitroprusside and ferric sulfate induced liposome peroxidation models. D. microcarpum fruit ethanol extract (100 µg/ml) did not exhibit any hemolytic effect but reduces significantly hemolysis from human and rat erythrocyte with inhibitory percentages more than 50 and 75%, respectively. Furthermore, the extract caused a significant decrease in both ferric sulfate and sodium nitroprusside inducing lipid peroxidation in each rat tissue liposomes investigated. D. microcarpum fruit ethanol extract protects erythrocytes against hemolysis and lipid peroxidation, probably due to its antioxidant potential. Therefore, animal tissues disorders caused by cell membrane lipid damage could be potentially managed/prevented by dietary intake of D. microcarpum fruit pulp.

Key words: Detarium microcarpum, anti-hemolytic activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation