Effect ofTamarindus indicaL. leaves' fluid extract on human blood cells

Abstract

Tamarind leaves are edible; however, their saponin content could be toxic to human blood cells. In this article, the effect of tamarind leaf fluid extract (TFE) on human blood cells was evaluated by using several tests. Results revealed that TFE did not cause significant haemolysis on human red blood cells even at the lowest evaluated concentration (20 mg/mL). Blood protein denaturalisation ratio was consistently lower than in control at TFE concentrations greater than 40 mg/mL. Erythrocyte membrane damage caused by the action of oxidative H2O2 displayed a steady reduction with increasing TFE concentrations. In the reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement by using flow cytometry assay, leucocyte viability was over 95% at tested concentrations, and a high ROS inhibition was also recorded. Protective behaviour found in TFE should be attributed to its polyphenol content. Thus, tamarind leaves can be regarded as a potential source of interesting phytochemicals.

Investigation into the effects of antioxidant-rich extract ofTamarindus indicaleaf on antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative stress and gene expression profiles in HepG2 cells

“…Therefore, the ideal clinical anticoagulant would reliably and predictably inhibit thrombin without substantially increasing the risk of bleeding. A recent study revealed that tamarind leaves did not cause significant haemolysis in human red blood cells ( Escalona-Arranz et al, 2014 ). In the present study, the antioxidant-rich leaf extract of T. indica appeared to target various genes including those in intrinsic prothrombin activation pathway that could contribute towards the regulation of the coagulation cascade and thus provides an alternative approach to the classical anticoagulants.…”

“…The leaves are traditionally used to treat various ailments including cough, worm infection, rheumatism, jaundice and ulcer ( Sreelekha et al, 1993 ). The methanol leaf extract of T. indica has been shown to have antibacterial ( Muthu, Nandakumar & Rao, 2005 ; Meléndez & Capriles, 2006 ), antimalarial ( Asase et al, 2005 ), antimicrobial ( Escalona-Arranz et al, 2014 ), antiviral ( El Siddig, Ebert & Luedders, 1999 ), anticancer ( Saleem, 2009 ), anti-inflammatory ( Bhadoriya et al, 2011 ), hepatoprotective and antioxidant ( Sudhahar et al, 2007 ) activities as well as inhibitory effects on tyrosine phosphatase 1B ( Na et al, 2009 ). The presence of lupanone and lupeol ( Imam et al, 2007 ), catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and isorhamnetin ( Razali et al, 2012 ) in the leaf extract could have contributed towards the diverse range of the medicinal activities.…”

“…The presence of lupanone and lupeol ( Imam et al, 2007 ), catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and isorhamnetin ( Razali et al, 2012 ) in the leaf extract could have contributed towards the diverse range of the medicinal activities. A recent study reported that the leaf extract of T. indica protected the red blood cells by attenuating H 2 O 2 -induced membrane damage and also inhibiting intracellular ROS production ( Escalona-Arranz et al, 2014 ). Molecular evidence to support the beneficial effects of the leaf extract is however, still lacking.…”

Peer Review #2 of "Investigation into the effects of antioxidant-rich extract of Tamarindus indica leaf on antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative stress and gene expression profiles in HepG2 cells (v0.1)"

“…Reviewing Manuscript study revealed that tamarind leaves did not cause significant haemolysis in human red blood cells (Escalona-Arranz et al, 2014). In the present study, the antioxidant-rich leaf extract of T. indica appeared to target various genes including those in intrinsic prothrombin activation pathway that could contribute towards the regulation of the coagulation cascade and thus provides an alternative approach to the classical anticoagulants.…”

“…The presence of lupanone and lupeol (Imam, Azhar, Hasan et al 2007), catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and isorhamnetin (Razali et al, 2012) in the leaf extract could have contributed towards the diverse range of the medicinal activities. A recent study reported that the leaf extract of T. indica protected the red blood cells by attenuating H 2 O 2induced membrane damage and also inhibiting intracellular ROS production (Escalona-Arranz et al, 2014). Molecular evidence to support the beneficial effects of the leaf extract is however, still lacking.…”