Protective effect of Scutellaria species on AAPH-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocyte.

Background: Scutellaria baicalensis is a well-known plant in traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, several Scutellaria species with therapeutic potential have been recognized worldwide. Scutellaria colebrookiana and Scutellaria violacea, native to the Western Ghats of India, are reported to possess free radical scavenging efficacy. At present, the protective effect of these Scutellaria spp. against 2,2' azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes has been analyzed.

Methods: Oxidative stress in erythrocyte was induced by AAPH. The inhibition of hemolysis, membrane lipid peroxidation, and protein damage by chloroform extracts of Scutellaria spp. was assessed biochemically. Phytochemicals of the extracts were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR).

Results: Approximately 95% of erythrocytes were lysed by AAPH over 3 h of incubation. Significant reduction in hemolysis was observed by the extracts, and the IC50 values were 18.3 and 23.5 μg/mL for S. colebrookiana and S. violacea, respectively. Both the extracts were found to inhibit AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation in ghost membrane with IC50 92±2.8 and 70±5.6 μg/mL. In the analysis of the membrane proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the AAPH-induced degradation of actin was found reduced by both the extracts. The FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of polyphenols, carboxylic acids, alkanes, and aromatic compounds in extracts. In quantitative analysis, the total polyphenolic content estimated was 380±0.23 and 203.7±1.4 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram extract of S. colebrookiana and S. violacea.

Conclusions: Results indicate that S. colebrookiana and S. violacea are capable of protecting erythrocytes from oxidative damage. This cytoprotective effect of the extract is possibly by its antioxidant property.