Hemolysis caused by polyoxyethylene-derived surfactants evidence for peroxide participation

The hemolytic properties of nonionic surfactants of the series $\text{CH}{}_3\text{(}\text{CH}{}_2\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{15–17}}\text{-}\text{O}\text{-(}\text{CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{O}\text{)}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{OH}$ were investigated and compared to those of saponins, sapogenins and H₂O₂. Antioxidants and anaerobic conditions were shown to inhibit the hemolysis, while glycyrrhizin was found to enhance it. Similar effects were obtained for H₂O₂ hemolysis, but not for saponin and sapogenin hemolysis. It is proposed that peroxides and free radicals are mainly responsible for the polyoxyethylene derived surfactants induced hemolysis.