The Effects of Extracts of Christmas Bush (Alchornea cordefolia) on Sickle Cell Hemoglobin
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
The study aims at determining the antisicking effectiveness of the extracts of the leaves of a herbal medicinal plant Alchornea cordefolia. The plant is widely distributed in the South-eastern region of Nigeria. The study is designed to involve phytochemical exploration, the nutrient and mineral compositions, the free amino acid, ascorbic acid and the amino acid constituents. Apart from these, the rates of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization were assayed with different fractions of extracts and compared with the control to ascertain their antisickling effectiveness. Sickle cell blood samples were donated by a total of forty patients (25 males and 15 females) of ages (17-32 years) whose sickle cell status were confirmed by electrophoresis of sickle cell blood by staff of the hematology unit of the centre . The donors were co-opted into the study by the personnel of the sickle cell unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria. The determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was to assess the oxygen affinity of sickle cells or drepanocytes. The antisickling properties of leaf extracts of Christmas bush (Alchornea cordefolia) were investigated. Results from phytochemical analysis of crude aqueous extract (CAE) revealed the presence of flavonoids (4.2±0.1%), alkaloids (5.7±0.12%), saponins (4.60±0.10%), tannins (6.50±0.1%), phenol (3.0±0.10%) and oxalate (5.47±0.1%). Proximate composition showed the following results: moisture (11.05±0.0%), ash (6.8±0.1%), crude fat (6.03±0.0%), protein (6.10±0.0%), fiber (24.5±0.2%) and carbohydrates (44.50±0.2%). Assay of mineral composition, revealed a preponderance of such, which include: Potassium (150.30 mg/100g), Sodium (228.20 mg/100g), Calcium (1.60 mg/100g), Magnesium (2.40 mg/100g) and Phosphorus (1.00 mg/100g) of dry weight of sample. The determination of the antisickling effects of the extracts of Alchornea cordifolia was assessed based on the inhibition of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization and the improvement of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio. Fifty grams (50 g) of the powdered sample was used for the batch extraction procedures with chloroform, methanol, butanol and distilled water to obtain the fat soluble fraction (FAS), the butanol soluble(BUS) and water soluble fractions (WAS) respectively. The FAS, BUS and WAS fractions exhibited profound antisickling effectiveness by inhibiting the HbSS polymerization to varying degrees from (47.50% for the BUS to 98.12% for the WAS fractions respectively in 20 min. The WAS and FAS fractions improved the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio remarkably, except the BUS fraction . Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis revealed the following amino acids - Phenylalanine, Alanine, Glutamate, Histidine, etc. The total free amino acid concentration of the fractions were as follows: the FAS (526.8 mg/100g); the WAS (79.33mg/100 g and the BUS (15.65 mg/100 g). The total vitamin C concentration was found to be 1929.18 mg/100 g of sample. Alchornea cordefolia leaf extracts, with the preponderance of micro and macro-nutrients, vitamins, amino acids and others, may be very beneficial for the management of sickle cell disease.
Authors and Affiliations
R. N. Nwaoguikpe, W. Braide, G. N. Okwu, B. O. Anyanwu, C. O. Ujowundu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP344755
- DOI 10.9734/BJPR/2014/4467
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Immunity and Sex Concerns on Behaviour
Aims: To find evidence that the immune response modifies behavior by regulating sex hormones. Study Design: Experimental transversal case control study and longitudinal experimental case control study. Place and Durati...
Validated UV Spectrophotometric Methods for the Estimation of Olanzapine in Bulk, Pharmaceutical Formulations and Preformulation Studies
Aims: To develop and validate two accurate and precise UV spectrophotometric methods for the estimation of widely prescribed anti psychotic drug-Olanzapine in bulk, formulations and preformulation studies. Methodology:...
Development and Validation of UV-Spectrophoto-metric Method for Determination of Palladium Content in Rasagiline Mesylate
A simple, precise, linear, accurate and robust spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of palladium content in Rasagiline Mesylate. The proposed method is based on complex formation of palladium with...
QSAR Pharmacophore-based Virtual Screening, CoMFA and CoMSIA Modeling and Molecular Docking towards Identifying Lead Compounds for Breast Cancer Protease Inhibitors
Aim: This study used QSAR Pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular docking to identify lead compounds and determine structural requirements for breast cancer inhibitor development. CoMFA and CoMSIA modeling wa...
Anti-inflammatory Activity of Cucumis sativus L.
Aims: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and acute toxicity of Cucumis sativus L. Study Design: Animal model assays of anti-inflammatory. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ni...