In vitro Investigation of the Anti-sickling and Erythrocyte Membrane Stabilizing Potentials of Elaesis guineensis Jacq Flower

摘要

Anti-sickling activity of Elaeis guineensis jacq flowers was investigated to determine the capability of the plant to inhibit the polymerization of sickle cell hemoglobin, maintain membrane osmotic fragility and recover the Fe~(2+)/Fe~(3+) ratio. Spectrophotometric technique was employed to determine the rate of sodium metabisulphite provoked HbSS erythrocytes polymerization. The profile for HbSS erythrocytes polymerization of test and control specimens demonstrated growing level of polymerization at three investigational concentrations (20mg/ml, 40mg/ml and 60mg/ml) while (80mg/ml, 100mg/ml, 120mg/ml) concentrations of the extracts showed pronounced anti-sickling activity through inhibition of HbSS gelation. The estimation of mean corpuscular fragility (MCF), which is the concentration of saline causing 50% hemolysis of the erythrocytes, revealed that the plant extract decreased the MCF values of the HbSS erythrocytes at all concentrations in comparison to the control. The Fe~(2+)/Fe~(3+) investigation revealed an increase in the test groups when compared to the control. The aqueous extracts of Elaeis guineensis jacq flowers demonstrated towering potency in altering the polymerization of sickle cell hemoglobin at increased concentration, enhancement in Fe~(2+)/Fe~(3+) ratio and maintaining erythrocyte membrane integrity.