Crocin protects human erythrocytes from nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation and oxidative damage.
Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a common contaminant of drinking water and food and feed chain. Nitrite induces oxidative damage in humans and animals. In this work, we studied the protective effect of crocin, the active constituent of Crocus sativus (saffron), on NaNO2-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. Changes in oxidative stress parameters following NaNO2incubation of erythrocytes in presence and absence of crocin were determined. It was found that crocin pre-treatment significantly attenuated NaNO2-induced oxidative damage of proteins, lipids, and plasma membrane. Crocin reduced the level of methemoglobin, the primary acute effect of nitrite intoxication. It also improved the antioxidant capacity of cells and NaNO2-induced morphological changes in erythrocytes. Crocin is thus a potent protective agent against nitrite-induced cytotoxicity.
Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India.
Fariheen Aisha
FA
Ansari
Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India.
Shaikh Nisar
SN
Ali
Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India.
Riaz
R
Mahmood
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D042966:Cytochrome-B(5) Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009573:Nitrites / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D009573:Nitrites; D020011:Protective Agents; D002338:Carotenoids; C029036:crocin; D008706:Methemoglobin; D042966:Cytochrome-B(5) Reductase; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide
antioxidant; crocin; erythrocytes; nitrite; oxidative stress