Trianthema portulacastrum L. extract protects against gamma radiation induced human red blood cell membrane damage in vitro

Radiation-induced oxidation of membrane lipids and proteins appear to be responsible for damaging the red cell membranes. The membrane integrity of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) is compromised by the deleterious action of γ-radiation in humans. Trianthema portulacastrum L. is an inexpensive, non-toxic herb commonly used in ayurvedic medicine due to its significant pharmacological activities. Methanolic extract of different parts of T. portulacastrum L. contain carbohydrates, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids; whereas saponin is present only in root extract, while cardiac glycosides are absent in root extract. Here, we explored the radio-protective role of leaf, stem, root and whole plant extracts of T. portulacastrum L. against the γ-radiation induced membrane damage of human red blood cells (RBCs). The RBCs on γ-irradiation (4 Gy) exposure showed elevated TBARS level while inhibited ATPase activities in the membrane ghosts. Treatment of RBCs-with different extracts of T. portulacastrum L. at different doses (50 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, 200 µg/mL) 1h prior to the exposure of γ-radiation significantly mitigated these changes in the RBC membranes due to presence of antioxidants in the extracts.

Role of nitric oxide, angiogenic growth factors and biochemical analysis in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder, is one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal mortality and morbidity globally. Angiogenic growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) are involved in the generation of new blood vessels required for placental development and physiological functions, while nitric oxide (NO) acts as vasodilator and also plays a role in angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of NO, angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and PIGF) and other biochemical parameters in the development of preeclampsia among pregnant mothers. A complete clinical history, including anthropometric measurements and biochemical investigations, including renal function tests, liver function tests and lipid profile were performed among twenty preeclampsia patients aged 19 to 32 yrs. Results were compared with age-matched normotensive pregnant mothers. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, concentrations of urea, uric acid and triglyceride and activities of transaminase enzymes (aspartate transaminase, AST and alanine transaminase, ALT) in serum were significantly higher (p<0.05) than normotensive subjects. Serum concentrations of VEGF, PlGF and NO were significantly decreased (p<0.005) in preeclamptic patients. NO was found negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.369, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.822, p<0.005), diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.714, p<0.005) and was positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.464, p<0.005) and PlGF (r = 0.546, p<0.005). VEGF and PlGF showed significant (p<0.005) negative correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and PlGF was significantly correlated with triglyceride (r = -0.379). However, no significant correlation was observed between the VEGF and PlGF. In conclusion, the results indicated that body weight, triglyceride, angiogenic growth factors and NO might associate with preeclampsia development.