Cytoprotective activity of extracts from Adelia ricinella L. aerial parts.

Context: Several factors can affect the erythrocyte cell membrane integrity targeting important hematological alterations that can be avoided by the cytoprotective effect offered by some plant extracts. Aims: To evaluate the cytoprotective activity of Adelia ricinella L. extracts on red blood cells (RBCs) membrane after hypotonic and oxidative treatments. Methods: Total phenols and flavonoid contents were spectrophotometrically determined in three extracts: AR1 (ethanol 95%), AR2 (ethanol 50%), and AR3 (aqueous extract). Luteolin and apigenin were quantified using HPLC-DAD techniques. Hypotonic erythrocyte membrane stabilizing activity of plant extracts, their antioxidant protective effect on H2O2-induced cell damage, and cytotoxicity on Vero cells were explored. Control cells were treated with sodium diclofenac or ascorbic acid. Results: AR2 extract showed the highest values of total phenols/flavonoids, as well as, for luteolin and apigenin with 207.5 and 1.86 µg/mL respectively. The extracts did not exert spontaneous hemolysis following the INVITOX protocol, presumably by the protective effect of high flavonoid content. A concentration-dependent pattern was observed on the hypotonic erythrocyte membrane stabilizing assay, in which both ethanol extracts but mainly AR1 (IC50 = 16.46 µg/mL) showed a significant activity with lower IC50 values than diclofenac-control group. On the other hand, AR2 (IC50 = 17.49 µg/mL) displayed the most potent cytoprotective effect on RBCs after H2O2-induced cell damage. Adelia ricinella extracts were not cytotoxic to mammalian Vero cells (IC50 > 256 μg/mL). Conclusions: The study suggests that Adelia ricinella extracts can promote erythrocyte cytoprotection by protecting both membrane layers, thus preventing potential hematological alterations induced by oxidizing damage and probably, in inflammation-related diseases