Protective role of morin on the attenuation of chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil, induced biochemical alterations in erythrocyte membrane – an in vivo animal study

Abstract In this study, 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) induced toxic effects were evaluated after treating with morin with respect to biochemical and morphological evaluation of erythrocyte with reference to clinical blood parameters, membrane associated damages, lipid peroxidation, ATPases and antioxidant enzymes in in vitro erythrocyte after scheduled treatment with 5-FU. 5-FU was prepared using saline followed by administration in rats to evaluate its toxic effects. Protective effect of morin was assessed by estimating antioxidant marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation, membrane bound enzymes and morphological changes, clinical hematological parameters by automated and manual standard protocols. 5-FU administration moderately increased the percentage of hemolysis, carboxyhemoglobin, hemin, lipid peroxidation and osmotic fragility in rat erythrocytes whereas morin treatment significantly altered to near normalcy. The levels of protein carbonyls significantly increased whereas the level of protein thiol decreased significantly in erythrocytes treated with 5-FU and reverted back to near normal upon morin treatment. The level of antioxidant enzyme and membrane bound ATPases were decreased significantly in 5-FU treated erythrocytes and brought back to the normal levels. The present study signifies that morin treatment can reduce the abnormalities posed by 5-FU by ameliorating oxidative stress. These clinical and biochemical observations shed the possibility that morin may render protection against 5-FU treated toxicity.