Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Anti-sickling effect of Senna alexandrina, Aerva javanica, and Ficus palmata extracts on sickle cell disorder

Zahraa M Al Yousef¹, Elaf A Alaswad², Mâ€‘Zaki M ElAssouli⁴, Dunya A Nori², Faten Z Filimban³, Hani Choudhry², Mohammad Z Alam^4,5, Hadeel AI Sadoun⁵, Nawal MW Helmi¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah; ²Department of Biochemistry, College of Science; ³College of Sciences, Biology Department, Division of Botany; ⁴Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center; ⁵Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

For correspondence:- Nawal Helmi Email: nmhelmi@uj.edu.sa Tel:+966122334000

Accepted: 27 February 2023 Published: 31 March 2023

Citation: Yousef ZM, Alaswad EA, ElAssouli MM, Nori DA, Filimban FZ, Choudhry H, et al. Anti-sickling effect of Senna alexandrina, Aerva javanica, and Ficus palmata extracts on sickle cell disorder. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(3):571-577 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i3.14

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anti-sickling activity of Senna alexandrina, Aerva javanica, and Ficus palmate extracts.

Methods: The leaves were extracted with water and methanol. The anti-sickling effect of extracts was determined using blood from 20 sickle cell disease (SCD) patients by mixing it with 500 and 1000 μg/mL of extract. The treated blood samples were then examined under a light microscope. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes was determined using 4 mL (0 – 0.9 %) buffered saline mixed with 1 mL extract (500 μg/mL) and 0.05 mL sickled red blood cells (RBCs).

Results: Aerva javanica extract significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the percentage of sickle cells compared to control. The sickle-shaped cells were 29.47 % when treated with 125 μg/mL concentration of methanol extract of A. javanica that was further decreased to 0.35 % on increasing the concentration to 500 μg/mL. A similar trend was also observed with extracts of F. palmata. Extracts had protective effect on erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Results of comet assay suggested that extracts did not damage DNA.

Conclusion: These plant extracts have promising anti-sickling activity and protect erythrocyte osmotic fragility. However, in vivo studies are required to validate these results and for further development of the extracts for therapeutic use.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, Comet assay, Senna alexandrina, Antioxidant, RBC