Mineral Composition of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease in the Kwilu Province (Congo-Kinshasa)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the mineral composition of 10 plants especially Alchornea cordifolia, Alternanthera bettzickiana, Annona senegalensis, Cyttaranthus congolensis, Dissotis brazzae, Justicia secunda, Harungana madagascariensis, Hura crepitans, Hypoxis angustifolia and Vigna unguiculata used in the management of sickle cell disease by traditional practitioners in Kwilu Province. The Plants collection was done at Kwilu province, sample were evaluated through fluorescence spectrometric analysis. These plants were harvested in Kwilu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo The mineral composition analysis was carried out using the fluorescence spectrometric method. This study revealed presence of Twenty-three (23) mineral elements, in each of these plants among others: Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S), Chlorine (Cl) and trace elements such as: Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Vanadium (V), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Bromine (Br), Molybdenum (Mo), Tin (Sn), Iodine (I), Barium (Ba) and Lead (Pb). Iron, Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn) are mineral elements that are related to sickle cell disease. Of all these elements, Potassium and Calcium were in a higher content while Lead, Tin, Bromine, Copper and Nickel are in trace amounts. The correlation coefficients obtained between the mineral elements are significant. The presence of some mineral elements like Fe, Zn, mg and Se can be useful for sickle cell disease patients.

Ethnobotanical Value of Myrianthus arboreus Used in Traditional Medicine by the Ngbaka Tribe (South-Ubangi), Democratic Republic of the Congo

“…In developing countries, most rural and many urban populations rely primarily on food and medicinal plants for their primary health needs and nutrition (Kitadi et al 2020;Kitadi et al 2021;Kpula et al 2021;Magbukudua et al 2022). Medicinal plants are valuable resources for the vast majority of rural populations in Africa, where more than 80% of the population uses them for health care (Inkoto et al 2018;Ipona et al 2019).…”

Mineral Element Contents and Antisickling Activity of Cyttaranthus congolensis and Hypoxis angustifolia Traditionally Used to Treat Sickle Cell Disease in Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

“…Indeed, this country rainforest is a vast reservoir of plant species that could provide lead bioactive molecules or molecules that would serve as a matrix for the synthesis of more active derivatives "hits" or plants that could be used for the formulation of phytomedicines [8,9]. Although modern medicine is highly developed nowadays, some diseases still do not have an effective cure [10][11][12][13]. Among these diseases we can mention sickle cell disease.…”