Background: Iron overload is the major consequence of blood transfusion in β-thalassemia patients. Redox iron plays a critical role in the formation of reactive oxygen species and subsequently leads to oxidative stress damage in many cells, especially red blood cells and hepatocytes. Iron deposition in hepatocytes is associated with fibrosis and cirrhosis. Polyphenolic compounds found in natural products are interesting iron chelators and antioxidants.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the iron-chelating properties and free-radical scavenging activities of lotus leaf extract in iron-loaded HepG2 cells.
Material and method: Lotus (Nelumbonucifera Gaertn) leaves were extracted with 80% (v/v) ethanol. The extract was examined for free-radical scavenging activity by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH assay); iron-binding and anti-hemolytic activities using spectrophotometrical method. Iron-depriving activity of the extract was determined in iron loaded human hepatocellular (HepG2) cells using fluorescence technique.
Results: The lotus extract showed antioxidant and anti-hemolytic activities in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was able to bind iron rapidly and was saturated within 10 minute. With 24-hour treatment, this extract dose dependently decreased the level of labile iron pool in iron loaded HepG2 cells.
Conclusion: Lotus leaf extract had strong antioxidant activities, iron chelating properties on iron loaded HepG2 cells and anti-hemolytic activity.