Caesalpinia crista coat extract protects red blood cell from sodium nitrite-induced oxidative stress and exhibits antiplatelet activity.

: To understand the RBC protecting efficiency and antiplatelet activity of methanolic extract of Caesalpinia crista coat (MECCC). RBC-protecting activity of MECCC was evaluated using assays, such as DPPH, level of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, superoxide dismutase and catalase as a marker of oxidative stress whereas, platelet aggregation inhibition was performed using human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). MECCC showed about 76% of DPPH-scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 71.89 mug/ml. The MECCC reduced the level of lipid peroxidation and protein carboxylation in RBC caused by NaNO2 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, MECCC normalized the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in oxidative stress-induced RBC in a dose-dependent manner. This suggested the protective effect of MECCC on RBC against oxidative stress. Furthermore, MECCC also exhibited mild antiplatelet activity by inhibiting both ADP and epinephrine agonists that induced platelet aggregation. The noticed inhibition percentage was found to be 28 and 23%, respectively at the concentration of 150 mug. Interestingly, MECCC did not hydrolyse the RBC suggesting its nontoxic properties. MECCC possesses protective effect of RBC against NaNO2 (10 mmol/l) induce oxidative stress and inhibits platelet aggregation.