Activity of essential oils of Piper aduncum anf and Cinnamomum zeylanicum by evaluating osmotic and morphologic fragility of erythrocytes

IntroductionFree radicals generated in vivo and peroxidation of the unsaturated bonds of membrane lipids increases fragility and cellular lysis of red blood cells. The essential oils of Piper aduncum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum present antioxidant activity and are popular in some countries to treat gastrointestinal diseases and anxiolytic symptoms respectively. Osmotic fragility assays and morphometric analyses have been used to assess cytotoxic effects and to verify the interaction of compounds present in the essential oils using the membranes of red blood cells (RBC). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the essential oils of P. aduncum and C. zeylanicum on osmotic fragility using osmotic stress and morphology of RBC.MethodologyThe essential oils were analysed by GC-MS. Blood samples were treated with essential oils in different concentrations; osmotic fragility was determined using saline stress assays and morphological analyses were carried out using light microscopy.ResultsIn the presence of the oils, the data obtained indicated (i) a significant increase in hemolysis and (ii) modifications to the morphology of RBC with consequent structural modifications, increasing the permeability and diffusion of essential oils and provoking toxic effects over the red blood cells membranes.ConclusionIn conclusion, the presence of essential oils from the leaves from P. aduncum and the bark of C. zeylanicum, significantly increased the osmotic fragility curve of red blood cells, and inducing toxic effects on red blood cell membranes.