Biological activities of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) extracts cultivated in South Anatolia in favism sensitive subjects.

Aqueous extracts of a different variety of fresh broad bean seeds obtained from a favism endemic area in Turkey, were incubated with blood from sensitive and non-sensitive (control) subjects. Red blood cells were characterized by a whole blood glutathione (GSH) and a deficiency of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity. As the decrease in GSH percent is taken as an index of haemolytic activity, the test results were as following: Sakiz , Milas -Region, French broad bean extracts reduced the blood GSH levels 48%, 70%, 46% and 53%, respectively, in favism sensitive subjects. Active principles which are responsible for the haemolysis ( Vicine and Convicine ) were isolated from broad beans and their effects on GSH levels of blood were 99% and 81%, respectively, in favism sensitive subjects and 33.3% and 19% in normal subjects.