Diosmin and Bromelain Stimulate Glutathione and Total ThiolsProduction in Red Blood Cells

Diosmin and bromelain are bioactive compounds of plant origin with proven beneficialeffects on the human cardiovascular system. We found that diosmin and bromelain slightly reducedtotal carbonyls levels and had no effect on TBARS levels, as well as slightly increased the totalnon-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in the RBCs at concentrations of 30 and 60μg/mL. Diosminand bromelain induced a significant increase in total thiols and glutathione in the RBCs. Examiningthe rheological properties of RBCs, we found that both compounds slightly reduce the internalviscosity of the RBCs. Using the MSL (maleimide spin label), we revealed that higher concentrationsof bromelain led to a significant decrease in the mobility of this spin label attached to cytosolic thiolsin the RBCs, as well as attached to hemoglobin at a higher concentration of diosmin, and for bothconcentrations of bromelain. Both compounds tended to decrease the cell membrane fluidity inthe subsurface area, but not in the deeper regions. An increase in the glutathione concentrationand the total level of thiol compounds promotes the protection of the RBCs against oxidative stress,suggesting that both compounds have a stabilizing effect on the cell membrane and improve therheological properties of the RBCs