In Vitro Antisickling Potentials of Ethanol Extract of Annona Muricata, Delonix Regia and Senna Alata

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic condition caused by defective hemoglobin molecules. The in vitro antisickling effects of different concentrations of ethanol extracts of Annona muricata, Senna alata and Delonix Regia on homozygous sickle cell erythrocyte was investigated. Standard antisickling tests evaluated include: Osmotic fragility, antioxidants (Superoxide dismutase, catalase and Glutathione), and polymerization of the sickled red blood cell. The experiment was in five groups Group 1 (Normal RBC), Group 2 (Sickle RBC – experimental control group), Group 3 (Sickle RBC + A. muricata), Group 4 (Sickle RBC + S. alata) and Group 5 (Sickle RBC + D. Regia). Fresh blood was collected from a sickle cell patient and normal individual which were used for the study. Results obtained from these investigations show that the three extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased glutathione and catalase activities in the sickled red blood cells. A. muricata and S. alata exhibited a significant (p<0.05) decrease against superoxide dismutase activity while SOD activity in sickle RBC treated with D. regia was not significant. Results of Osmotic fragility test showed an increase in membrane stability of sickle blood when the extracts were added. Antisickling test showed the ratio at which sickle blood cells were reduced with respect to time. The results of this study indicate that the extracts have the potential to reduce the sickling activity of sickle cell blood. The extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the polymerization of sickle blood cells at a very high concentration (0.2mg/100ml) and increased its polymerization at low concentration (0.8mg/100ml). In conclusion, findings show that ethanol extracts of A. muricata, S. alata and D. regia may be helpful in the management of patients with sickle cell anemia.