Review Article

Management of Iron Overload in Resource Poor Nations: A Systematic Review of Phlebotomy and Natural Chelators

Table 2

Selected natural products with iron chelation/radical scavenging properties (in vitro studies).

Natural productExperimental modelConstituents responsible for activityMechanism (s)Pharmacological effects/findingsReferences

Garcinia kolaMicrosomal lipid peroxidationKolavironAntioxidation and chelating propertiesMitigation of iron/ascorbate-induced damage to microsomal lipids[97]

Azadirachta indica (neem) leavesFerric reducing antioxidant plasma (FRAP) assayFlavonoid and phenolic compoundsAnti-oxidation, scavenging and reduction of the power of ferric ion (Fe3+) to ferrous ion (Fe2+)Antioxidant activity[107]

Lotus (Nelumbonucifera Gaertn) leavesIron loaded human hepatocellular (HepG2) cellsPolyphenolic compoundsAntioxidation, iron chelating and scavenging propertiesDose-dependent decrease in labile iron pool[154]

Bergamot and orange juicesIron overloaded human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells)FlavonoidsAntioxidation chelating and blockade of the redox activity of ironReduced generation of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation. Inhibition of DNA-oxidative damage[155]

Spondias pinnata stem barkIn vitro assays (IC50 measurements)Flavonoids and phenolic compoundsAntioxidation, radical scavenging, Iron reducing, and chelating propertiesDecrease in the level of labile iron pool[156]

Essential oils of Ocimum basilicum L., Origanum vulgare L., and Thymus vulgaris L.In vitro assays (IC50 measurements)Essential oilsAntioxidation and chelating propertiesInhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(2+)/ascorbate or by Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2)[157]
Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubra) and white ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)Inhibitory effect on Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain in vitroFlavonoids and phenolic compoundsFe(2+) chelating ability, OH scavenging and iron reducing power activitiesProtective effect by reducing malondialdehyde contents of the brain[158]

Unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) fruitInhibitory effect on Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s pancreas in vitroFlavonoids and phenolic compoundsAntioxidation, iron chelating and radical scavenging propertiesReduced malondialdehyde contents in the pancreas; Inhibition of lipid peroxidation[159]

Primula heterochromaInhibitory effect on Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rat brain in vitroFlavonoids and phenolic compoundsFe(2+) chelating, radical scavenging and reducing power activitiesProtective effect by reducing brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels[160]