Phytochemical, antimicrobial and pharmacological studies on ‘siculine’ – a herbal remedy for sickle cell anemia

Abstract

Siculine syrup – a traditionally prepared plant extract used in sickle cell anaemia pain crisis has been certified in a previous study to possess a dose-dependent analgesic and RBC-sickling inhibitory activities. In the present study, the phytochemical and antimicrobial screening as well as effect on food intake, water intake and urinary output was carried out. Standard methods were used to test for the presence of phytochemical metabolites, while the antimicrobial effect was tested on standard organisms‟ isolates of Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571, Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750. Twenty four hourly daily measurements of food intake, water intake and urinary output of rats placed inside metabolic cages was used to assess for changes in these parameters. The results showed that siculine contained cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and sterols and it also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, but not against P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Siculine did not affect food intake, but water intake was substantially increased, but not significantly (P> 0.05; Student‟s t-test). However, there was significant diuretic effect due to siculine (P< 0.05; Student‟s t-test).

Keywords: Siculine syrup; Sickle cell anemia; Antimicrobial; Food intake; Water intake; Urinary output