In vitro study of anti-sickling effects of aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola (seeds), Zingiber officinale (rhizomes) and Allium sativum(bulbs) on sodium metabisulphite-treated HBSS erythrocytes
Abstract Background A point mutation in the haemoglobin β-chain at position six causes sickle cell disease (SCD). Blessed with a wealth of inexpensive and safe medicinal plants, Africa has much to offer in the therapy and management of many neglected tropical diseases, including SCD. Aim The purpose...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04943-6 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background A point mutation in the haemoglobin β-chain at position six causes sickle cell disease (SCD). Blessed with a wealth of inexpensive and safe medicinal plants, Africa has much to offer in the therapy and management of many neglected tropical diseases, including SCD. Aim The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to examine the anti-sickling properties of the combinations of aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale (rhizomes), Allium sativum (bulbs), and Garcinia kola (seeds) on sickle cell erythrocytes treated with sodium metabisulphite. Methods Investigations were carried out to assess the capacity of the aqueous extracts to inhibit sickle haemoglobin polymerization, promote the reversal of sickling, and evaluate the resistance of red blood cell membranes to increasing hypotonic solutions. Phytochemical screenings were done on the different plant components using standard methods. Results Relative to the controls in each of the anti-sickling tests, the potency of each treatment combination of the plant extracts was higher than that of hydroxyurea (standard). The initial control values of sickled RBC 44.1% and 51.2% (in the sickling reversal and inhibitory tests, respectively) lowered to 6.6% and 6.5%, respectively. Additionally, the delayed time of sickle cell polymerisation showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between each treatment combination of the plant extracts significantly less than 0.372 (p < 0.05.) of the control drug (hydroxyurea), though better than normal saline 0.049. The osmotic fragility test results indicated significantly lower osmofragility from the plant extract combinations compared to hydroxyurea. In general, no statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) was seen across the extract treatment combinations in relation to each other across all tests. The extracts indicated the presence of anthocyanins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, among other substances. Conclusion The plant extracts combinations have demonstrated polymerisation inhibition activity, reduced osmofragility and sickling reversal activity in the HBSS erythrocytes. |
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| ISSN: | 2662-7671 |