Antioxidant phytochemicals are investigated as novel treatments for supportive therapy in b-thalassemia. The dietary
indicaxanthin was assessed for its protective effects on human b-thalassemic RBCs submitted in vitro to oxidative haemolysis
by cumene hydroperoxide. Indicaxanthin at 1.0\u201310 mMenhanced the resistance to haemolysis dose-dependently. In addition,
it prevented lipid and haemoglobin (Hb) oxidation, and retarded vitamin E and GSH depletion. After ex vivo spiking of blood
from thalassemia patients with indicaxanthin, the phytochemical was recovered in the soluble cell compartment of the RBCs.
A spectrophotometric study showed that indicaxanthin can reduce perferryl-Hb generated in solution from met-Hb and
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), more effectively than either Trolox or vitamin C.
Collectively our results demonstrate that indicaxanthin can be incorporated into the redox machinery of b-thalassemic RBC
and defend the cell from oxidation, possibly interfering with perferryl-Hb, a reactive intermediate in the hydroperoxidedependent
Hb degradation. Opportunities of therapeutic interest for b-thalassemia may be considered
