World Congress on
Advanced Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Biography:

Dr Chioma A. Anosike is a senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry. She graduated from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1998, obtained her M.Sc in Pharmacological Biochemistry in 2004 and Ph.D in Nutritional and Pharmacological Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2011. Her research interests and activities are on plants used for human nutrition and their potential roles in the treatment and management of immunological and inflammatory diseases.

 

Abstract:

Sickle cell disease (SCD), a major problem of the developing world is an inherited disorder of haemoglobin, with clinical manifestations attributed to a point mutation in the amino acid globin chain of haemoglobin A by the substitution of a hydrophilic glutamic acid residue for a hydrophobic valine residue, at the sixth position of the β-chain of haemoglobin molecule. Due to the high mortality rate of sickle cell patients, especially in children, the search for rational drug development that must embrace not only synthetic drugs but also natural products with anti-sickling and erythrocyte membrane stabilizing potentials is of particular interest. Sphenostylis stenocarpa is a legume rich in proteins and amino acids some of which have antisickling properties. It abounds in tropical Africa especially Nigeria.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:

This research investigated aqueous extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seeds for possible in-vitro antisickling properties. Homozygous SS blood samples obtained from patients were washed thrice in phosphate buffered saline to obtain the red blood cells pre-incubated with 2, 4 and 6mg/ml concentrations of the extract and para-hydroxybenzoic acid as the standard. Induction of sickling and polymerization of HbSS was done by addition of 2 % metabisulphite (Na₂S₂O₂) solution. Microscopic analysis of the effect of varied concentrations of the extract on the sickling of SS erythrocytes was done. A plot of percentage sickling inhibition against extract concentration was obtained.

Findings:

The extract showed high percentage inhibition of polymerization of sickle RBCs when compared with the standard (P-hydroxybenzoic acid). The extract also increased membrane stabilization and inhibition of sickled RBCs hemolysis. Amino acid profile of the legume showed high concentration of some antisickling amino acids such as phenylalanine, lysine, asparagines, serine and arginine.

Conclusion & Significance: The legume has immense nutritional and therapeutic importance in the management of sickle cell disease