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

ABSTRACT

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.