Evaluation of the antisickling potentials of Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq) Benth (Mimosaceae) root: Hemoglobin polymerization inhibition activity

Abstract

Background: Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq) Benth (Mimosaceae) has been used in the traditional management of several diseases. An ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Ilorin-West and Irepodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State has indicated that the roots of Calliandra portoricensis are also useful in the management of sickle cell disease.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the antisickling property of the root of Calliandra portoricensis, using the hemoglobin polymerization inhibition assay.
Method: The crude extract and the solvent-partitioned fractions of C. portoricensis root were evaluated for antisickling activities by the hemoglobin polymerization inhibition assay using sodium metabisulphite (BDH) as the reductant, and normal saline and phenylalanine (1.65 mg / mL) as controls. The most active fraction was then purified using column chromatography and the pooled chromatographic fractions were similarly evaluated for antisickling activity.
Results: All the solvent-partitioned fractions of C. portoricensis showed a high percentage inhibition of hemoglobin polymerization at 5 mg/mL with the ethyl acetate fraction showing the highest percentage inhibition of 98.97 ± 1.62 % The pooled chromatographic fraction C3 containing two compounds (Rf value: 0.71, 0.83); (ethyl acetate: acetone: water 7: 2: 1) exhibited the highest polymerization inhibition activity of 96.57 ± 4.06 % at 5 mg/mL.
Conclusion: This study provides some justification for the use of C. portoricensis root in the management of sickle cell disease.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, C. portoricensis, Hemoglobin polymerization assay.