An Investigation of the Impact of Ginkgo biloba L. Extracts in Decreasing t-BHP-Induced Hemolysis in Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficient Erythrocytes

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) is the most common form of enzymopathy of red blood cells that has affected more than 400 million people worldwide. G6PD deficient erythrocytes show decreased levels of antioxidant capacity and they make one susceptible to chemical induced hemolysis such as drugs and oxidant food ingredients. To this end, antioxidants can play a pivotal role in the prevention of oxidative damage to the erythrocyte membrane in such patients. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of Ginkgo biloba in preventing t-BHP-induced hemolysis in G6PD deficient patients.

Twenty-one male G6PD deficient patients all of whom had experienced at least one hemolytic attack were included in the study. To assess the property of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) to prevent hemolysis in G6PD deficient erythrocytes, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), an oxidant, was used to induce hemolysis. Different concentrations of EGb (100, 200, 300, 400 µg/ml) were used in this experiment.

Erythrocytes incubated with t-BHP released 30.47±1.61% (mean ± SD) hemoglobin in the supernatant which decreased in the presence of EGb in the concentration dependent manner.  Concentrations of 300 µg/ml and 400 µg/ml EGb showed significant reduction in hemolysis compared to the control group.

Based on the results of this study, we propose that EGb may decrease chemical induced hemolysis and the following complications in G6PD deficient patients. Therefore, it may be possible to recommend Ginkgo supplement to these patients before exposure to oxidant agents.