Poster Presenter

Influence of the Aqueous Extract of Seven Commonly Used Plants in Jordan on the Osmotic Fragility of Human Erythrocytes
Hasan M Hawamdeh, Ansam F. Sawalha, and Nayef S Al-Gharaibe

Background: Many plants contain chemical substances that might have a hemolytic or anti-hemolytic effect on human erythrocytes. Such plants need to be investigated and known for health care providers and for patients with hemolytic disorders. Aim: To test the influence of the aqueous extract of seven commonly used plants in Jordan on the osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes.

Methods: Osmotic fragility test was used to assess hemolytic activity of the crude extracts of the investigated plants. The dried plants were extracted, filtered, and dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO. Blood samples were collected from normal volunteers, dissolved in physiologically-buffered saline (PBS) and DMSO, and then divided into control and treated groups. Osmotic fragility tests were done with various osmolarities. The results of hemolysis were determined spectrophotometrically. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The investigated plants were classified into three groups based on their influence on osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes: group I: have no effect and include Solanum tuberosum (ST), Solanum melongena (SM), Hibiscus sabdariffa (HSL), and Malva sylvestris (MSL), group II: decrease hemolysis and include colchicum ritchii (CR), and group III: increase hemolysis and include Ferula Harmonis (FH), and Silybum marianum (SML). Results from group II and III showed that hemolysis was independent of time, while the degree of hemolysis was concentration- dependent.

Conclusion: Some plants have anti hemolytic effect on human erythrocytes, others induce it, and a third group does not have any effect. Further studies are needed to elucidate this effect and to isolate the active ingredients involved.