In vitro Erythrocyte Membrane Stabilization Properties of Solanum aethiopicum L. Fruit Extracts

This study aims at evaluating the membrane stabilization potential of Solanum aethiopicum L. fruits extracts using an in vitro hemolytic assay. 2 mL of blood from healthy volunteers and patients with serologically confirmed current dengue infection were freshly collected and used in the assays. Fresh garden eggs fruits at three different maturity stages (immature, partly matured and matured) were cleaned with distilled water, crushed and the juice was extracted with 10 mL of ice cold distilled water. Freshly prepared cold water extracts of garden eggs fruits were used in the heat-induced and hypotonic-induced hemolytic assays. Extracts of garden egg fruits of all three maturity levels showed a significant reduction in heat-induced hemolysis compared to controls (P < 0.05). Garden egg fruits extracts of all three maturity levels showed more than 25% inhibition at a concentration of 37.5μg/mL. Inhibition activity of different maturity levels was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from one another. S. aethiopicum L. fruit extracts showed a significant inhibition of hemolysis in vitro.