Phytochemical investigation and antisickling properties of a Poly-herbal formula on the HBSS Red Blood Cells

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sickle-formation inhibition of a recipe of three plants: Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Xylopia aethiopica and Harungara madagascariensis. The 70% hydroethanolic extract (EZHm) and the decoctate (DZHm) were used to determine the chemical groups by colorimetric and precipitation reactions. These extracts were also used to evaluate the antisickling properties by Emmel's method, following the protocol described by Image. The biological tests revealed that the total extracts have concentration-dependent and time-dependent anti-sickle cell activity. These extracts act by reducing the polymers of sickle cells. After 120 min the inhibition percentages were 87.35% DZHm, 87.28% EZHm and 85.07% phenylalanine in the presence of 10 mg/mL of the test substances. Plant extracts show a strong antisickling activity which would be due to its phytochemical constituents such as primary (aromatic amino acid) and secondary (alkaloids, phenolic compounds, saponosides, sterols, polyterpenes) metabolites found in these extracts. These extracts, even if they are crude, constitute a hope for the discovery of many antisickling active principles. This natural poly-herbal formula product could improve the quality of life of people with sickle cell disease.