In vitro Erythrocyte Membrane Stabilization Potential in some Sri Lankan Medicinal Plant Extracts

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate red blood cell (erythrocyte) membrane stabilization potential in hydroalcoholic extracts of eight medicinal plants that have been utilized as antiinflammatory remedies in Sri Lankan folk medicine.10% suspensions of red blood cells in normal saline were incubated with 1000 µg/mL of each extract. The absorbance of the released hemoglobin was measured spectrophotometrically. The most potent extracts that possess ≥ 50% stabilization potential were subjected to concentrationresponse studies and EC50 values were determined. Hibiscus furcatus extract has shown the highest membrane stabilizing potential with an EC50 of 51.92 µg/mL which is even better than the reference drug, diclofenac sodium (EC50=131.9 µg/mL). Moreover, a considerable activity was observed in Leucas zeylanica and Plectranthus zeylanicus (EC50=81.35 and 219.6 µg/mL respectively). Thus, the present study revealed that the plants utilized in folklore medicine in Sri Lanka as anti-inflammatory remedies are capable of stabilizing the cellular membranes.