Phytomedicines and Nutraceuticals: Alternative Therapeutics for Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is a genetically inherited disease in which the “SS” individual possesses an abnormal beta globin gene. A single base substitution in the gene encoding the human β-globin subunit results in replacement of β6 glutamic acid by valine, leading to the devastating clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease. This substitution causes drastic reduction in the solubility of sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) when deoxygenated. Under these conditions, the HbS molecules polymerize to form long crystalline intracellular mass of fibers which are responsible for the deformation of the biconcave disc shaped erythrocyte into a sickle shape. First-line clinical management of sickle cell anemia include, use of hydroxyurea, folic acid, amino acids supplementation, penicillinprophylaxis, and antimalarial prophylaxis to manage the condition and blood transfusions to stabilize the patient's hemoglobin level. These are quite expensive and have attendant risk factors. However, a bright ray of hope involving research into antisickling properties of medicinal plants has been rewarding. This alternative therapy using phytomedicines has proven to not only reduce crisis but also reverse sickling (in vitro). The immense benefits of phytomedicines and nutraceuticals used in the management of sickle cell anemia are discussed in this paper.

Phyto-Medicine in Gene(s) Targeting Future Direction for Sickle Cell Disease Management

“…Further analysis and efficacy test on SCD patients, using Nicosan showed effective sickling reversal [11,34,39,40].…”

“…However the transplantation procedure requires a highly compatible family member as a donor and is associated with potentially serious complications. Disease-free survival rate is about 85%, transplant related mortality is 7% while graft failure rate is 9% [34]. The major challenges here is on controlling transgene expression as differentiation is stage restricted, difficult to sustain overtime and moreover, it is erythroid specific.…”

Eficacia de la trofoterapia en el tratamiento de la anemia: estudio bibliométrico

“…Se ha incluido un estudio del alga Espirulina (Selmi et al (18) ) y Solenostemon monostachyus, Ipomoea involucrata y el aceite de semilla de Carica papaya (Afolabi et al (17) ) en el tratamiento de la anemia, todas ellas muestran evidencia de efectos positivos sobre la anemia nutricional y sobre la anemia de células falciformes, respectivamente. El extracto de la hoja seca de Carica papaya ha demostrado tener propiedades benéficas frente a la anemia falciforme, lo cual refuerza las prácticas realizadas por algunos indígenas locales para tratar los síntomas propios de la anemia (34) . Del mismo modo, y pese a las deficiencias metodológicas, no se descarta que los tratamientos de los otros artículos (17,18,19) , produzcan efectos beneficiosos en el tratamiento de la anemia, como es el caso de la lechuga (fuente natural de ácido fólico) y diversas formulaciones de la medicina tradicional.…”

Medicinal Potentials and Toxicity Concerns of Bioactive Principles

“…Anthocyanins are antioxidants [105][106][107][108]. According to Del-Bas et al [109], grape seed procyanidins arrest atherogenesis, induce liver CYP7A1 and small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression in healthy rats.…”

“…The coumarins are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory [193][194][195], antioxidant [106,112,193,[196][197][198][199], anti-diabetic [198,200], hepatoprotective [198], anti-thrombotic [193,196,201], anti-fungal [193,195], anti-viral [112], analgesic [195] and anti-carcinogenic [152,202,203] agents.…”