protective effect of rosmarinus officinalis l. essential oil against free radical-induced erythrocyte lysis

the oxidative hemolysis of rat erythrocytes induced by 2,2’-azobis–(2-amidinopropane) (aaph) and its inhibition by rosemary essential oil was studied. different concentrations (0.178, 0.357, 0.534 and 0.712 ml/ml) of the essential oil showed no significant hemolysis compared to phosphate buffer solution. aaph (25 mm and 50 mm) induced hemolysis in a time-dependent manner. diff e r e n t concentrations of the essential oil inhibited hemolysis induced by 25 mm aaph. however, in the presence of 50 mm of aaph, only the two higher concentrations (0.534 and 0.712 ml/ml) of the essential oil inhibited hemolysis. addition of essential oil 2 or 3 h after incubation with aaph had no significant effects on the time course of cell lysis. it is concluded that, in addition to its well-established antioxidant effects, rosemary essential oil displays cytoprotective properties.