Nepeta nuda L. Plant Extract Preserves the Morphology of Red Blood Cells Subjected to Oxidative Stress

Abstract

.net/. Abstract: We show that an extract from catmint ( Nepeta nuda L.) flowers is not hemotoxic and does not alter erythrocytes’ morphology. H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress leads to an increase in lipid peroxidation, accompanied by a reduction in the number of biconcave cells and an increase in the number of echinocytes. Pre-treatment of erythrocytes with this extract does not reduce the lipid peroxidation level; however, it results in partial restoration of the relative abundance of biconcave cells and a respective reduction in the echinocytes’ quantity. Our data reveal the concentrations at which the examined extract exhibits a protective effect on erythrocytes’ morphology under the condition of H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress.