Protective effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber extracts against H2O2 induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes and leucocytes

Background: Amorphophallus companulatus (Araceae) is a tuberous medicinal plant commonly used in Ayuvedic medicines as well as tribal medicines of India. Aim: Aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of A. companulatus tuber extracts against H2O2 induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes and leucocytes. Setting and Design: The experiment was set and design as per available method in the literatures. Three measurements were performed under each set of extracts. Materials and Methods: The extracts of tuber of A. companulatus such as methanol, ethanol, acetone (70%) and hydro‑alcohol (1:1) used to assess catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of human erythrocytes and leucocytes. Statistical Analysis: All experimental data were statistically analysed and expressed as means ± SD by using the one‑way analysis of variance. Results: Results of present studies revealed that, increased in the CAT, SOD, GPx and reduction of GSH and LPO levels in H2O2 group compared with control group. The extracts of tuber of A. companulatus treated groups showed effective reduction of CAT, SOD, GPx and increased the GSH and LPO levels as compared with H2O2 group on human erythrocytes and leucocytes. The methanol extract was found more effective than others. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that, the extracts of tuber of A. companulatus possess protective effect against H2O2 induced oxidative damage. Furthermore, these tuber extracts may appeared to be beneficial in preventing H2O2 oxidative human red blood cell (RBC) damage in human and can improve RBC membrane permanence. The tubers of A. companulatus are the potential source of natural antioxidants for the treatment and prevention of disease in which LPO takes place. Key words: Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber, erythrocytes, H2O2, leucocytes, phosphate buffer solution