Abstract

The root, leaf and bark of Petiveria alliacea, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Entandrophragma utile respectively are used by traditional healers for the management of sickle cell disease (SCD) in some parts of South West Nigeria. In-vitro antisickling activities of these plants’ parts were evaluated using p-hydroxybenzoic acid and normal saline as positive and negative controls respectively. Methodology involved the inhibition of sodium metabisulphite induced sickling of HbSS erythrocytes, collected from a confirmed sickle-cell disease (SCD) volunteer in steady state using both crude methanol extract and its aqueous fractions. The extracts/fractions of the three plants at 1.0 and 0.1 mg/ml were observed to exhibit significant (p < 0.05) antisickling activity while lysis of erythrocytes occurred at 10.0 mg/ml. Phytochemical screening of the plant extracts revealed the presence of saponnins, tannins and alkaloids. Therefore, the use of the plants by the traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of SCD is justified. The implication of the results obtained in drug development for SCD management is discussed.

Key words: Antisickling activity, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Entandrophragma utile, Petiveria alliacea, phytochemicals, sickle cell disease.