Protective Effects of Luteolin and Gallic Acid Against Storage-Induced Oxidative Damage in Whole Blood of Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Whole blood undergoes oxidative stress that precipitates biochemical changes that can lead to lesions during storage. This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of gallic acid and luteolin separately and in their combined state against oxidative damage during blood storage. Materials and Methods: Rats were grouped into control and experimental. Blood collected was stored for 28 days at 4°C. On day 0, 14, and 28, blood was withdrawn to study oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and protein oxidation products. Results: Catalase activity reduced in all groups. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level increased in control without antioxidants (p < 0.05). Combined antioxidants or when separately added at lower concentrations, significantly reduced the TBARS level. Individual antioxidants at higher concentrations increased TBARS as compared with control (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Decrease in superoxide dismutase activity observed in control was prevented by the antioxidants. Protein sulfhydryl level was restored and sustained until the last day of storage in groups that received individual antioxidants at both concentrations and the combined form at a lower concentration. Addition of either luteolin or gallic acid and their combined form reduced advanced oxidation protein products formation noticed in the control during storage. Conclusions: Luteolin and gallic acid were beneficial in the area of increased antioxidant capacity, prevention of protein product formation, and maintenance of sulfhydryl level. Their combination also showed a synergistic effect that offered a potential to improve long-term storage of whole blood. The antioxidants could possibly collaborate to be excellent potential blood storage additives providing protection against oxidative damage through their antiradical properties.