Anti sickling potential of Aloe vera extract IV: Effects of acidic, basic and neutral metabolites on the gelling and sickling of human HBSS erythrocytes

Abstract

The effects of acidic, basic and neutral metabolites from A. vera extract on the sickling and gelling time of human HbSS erythrocytes were investigated. The study showed that the various metabolites inhibited sickling in vitro and increased gelling time of HbSS blood samples. Moreover, a significant increase in the number of unsickled erythrocytes was observed for the acidic metabolites. The abilities of the metabolites to revert already sickled erythrocytes to their normal morphology was highest for the acidic metabolites, but non–existent for the neutral metabolites, which appeared to be toxic to the HbSS blood cells. Therefore, it was concluded that the reversal of the sickling phenomenon could be achieved, almost quantitatively, by the consumption of acidic metabolites by sickle cell patients.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, fractionated A. vera extract, gelling time

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(2): 155-160, 2010