Comparison of the sickling and gelation properties of acidic metabolites of Aloe Vera and Cajanus Cajan

Abstract

The effects of acidic metabolites of A. vera and C. cajan extracts on the sickling and gelation times of human HbSS erythrocytes were investigated to obtain a better understanding of the anti-sickling compounds contained in them for use in the management of sickle cell disease. The results obtained showed that the acidic metabolites of A. vera extract exhibited a greater ability to revert already sickled erythrocytes to their normal morphology. The number of unsickled erythrocytes increased remarkably with metabolite concentration from 565 to 800 (x 10⁶/ne) A. vera extract as against 127 to 380 (x 10⁶/ne) for C. cajan. A similar trend was observed in the gelation times, which also increased with metabolite concentration. In all, the A. vera metabolite showed a complete absence of sickled erythrocytes, the highest number of unsickled erythrocytes and best gelation times at all concentrations. Therefore, it was concluded that the acidic metabolite of A. vera was a better gelation inhibitor and erythrocytes reverser. The active principle in the anti-sickling and reversal processes probably involves flavonoids, simple phenols and/or tannins.

Keywords: Aloe vera, Cajanus cajan, sickle cell disease, erythrocytes, gelation times

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 7(1): 104 - 108, 2011