Produced from red blood cells, Hematin is a bluish-black or brownish pigment compound derived from hemoglobin by removal of the protein part and oxidation of the iron atom from ferrous Fe2+ to the ferric Fe3+ state, which does not combine with oxygen. It is effective to inhibit the synthesis of porphyrin and, at the same time, stimulate the synthesis of globin. It involves in the formation of cytochromes and peroxidases in the cell. Hematin is also a pharmaceutical used in the treatment of porphyria, which can be administered intravenously to halt the attack of acute porphyria. It functions in the liver to accelerate the production of heme and thus preventing the further accumulation of heme precursors, porphyrins, which is effective to alleviate the symptoms of porphyria.
