Phytochemical Analysis and Antisickling Activity of some Medicinal Plants from Sokoto, Nigeria
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Sickle cell anemia occurs due to the polymerization of abnormal hemoglobin S resulting from decreased oxygen tension. Ultimately, this causes alterations in red blood cell structure, resulting in anemia. This study, therefore, examined the phytochemical properties and the antisickling activity of some selected plants (Khaya senegalensis, Vernonia amagdalina, Ficus carica, Cassia nigricans, and Ficus sycomorus) that have been reported to be used by traditional medical professionals in the management of sickle cell anemia. The plants were exhaustively extracted using cold methanol maceration. Each plant's methanolic extract was subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical testing to ascertain its phytocompound composition. To determine the sickling reversal ability of the plant extracts, sickling was induced in red blood cells (RBCs) by adding sodium metabisulfite (2 %) and then treated with 10 µg/ml of the extracts. Osmotic fragility test was used to investigate the membrane stabilizing effect of selected extracts (250 µg/mL) on the solubility of hemoglobin S and the integrity of the sickle cell membrane. From the results, it was observed that the plants investigated showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, and flavonoids. Only anthraquinones was found absent in all plant extracts tested. The study also revealed a high antisickling activity by the plants. The extracts significantly (p<0.05) reversed sickling cells with K. senegalensis (95.29 ± 5.62 %), V. amagdalina (92.19 ± 6.91 %), F. carica (88.32 ± 3.98 %), C. nigricans (92.26 ± 5.01 %) and F. symcomorus (92.11 ± 6.31 %). Regarding membrane stabilizing potential, F. carica stem bark demonstrated a considerably greater membrane stabilizing potential (IC50 = 3.98 ± 0.51 mg/mL) followed by C. nigricans leaves (5.01 ± mg/mL). The methanolic extract of the plants studied demonstrated high potency in maintaining erythrocyte membrane integrity and altering the polymerization of sickle cell hemoglobin at increasing concentrations.
Source: UMYU Scientifica
Authors: Sumayya Ahmed Ayuba, Andrew Onu
Institutions: Sokoto State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics (clinical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4401428936