Background: Sickle-cell anemia is a hereditary, disabling disease that remains a public health concern in many countries, with the prevalence of sickle-cell trait in Africa ranging from 10 to 40% depending on the region. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Terminalia avicennioides root bark extracts on several parameters involved in sickle cell disease. Method: Anti-radical activity was assessed in vitro using the ABTS radical cation method with spectrophotometer analysis. Blood from individual with sickle cell disease (SS) was used to assess anti-sickling activity by the Emmel test, while normal blood was used to assess antihemolytic and cytotoxic activity respectively. Results: The results showed that CE had the highest anti-free radical activity with an IC50 = 0.068 mg/mL while AqF with an IC50 of 0.074 mg/mL had an activity close to that of vitamin C (IC50 = 0.070 mg/mL), used as a reference. However, EAF showed the best anti-sickling activity with 38.68% and 13% of residual sickle cells for 2.5 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL respectively, whereas for the negative control, 85% of sickle cells were counted. Two extracts, CE and AqF, exhibited mor interesting anti-hemolytic activity than quercetin, with IC50 values of 0.078 mg/mL and 0.082 mg/mL respectively, compared with 0.082 mg/mL for quercetin. Cytotoxicity results showed that all extracts induced leukocyte cell proliferation. The most active crude extract had a CP50 = 1.649, while arginine had a CP50 =0.005 at 48 h incubation. Conclusion: The bioactive polar compounds contained in Terminalia avicennioides root powder extracts and fractions make a significant contribution to enhancing the activities assessed. The results obtained show that the extracts present much more interesting activities on certain parameters than the positive controls, thus confirming the traditional use of this plant in the management of sickle cell disease.
Akakpo-Akue, J., Ahon, G.M., Kplé, T.K.M., Djaha, L.M.L., Yvette, F., Ibrahime, S., et al. (2023) Effects of Methanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Griffoniasimplicifolia (Fabaceae) on the Inhibition of Falciformation of Human Hb SS Erythrocytes. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 13, 24-35. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojapps.2023.131003
[3]
Bunn, H.F. (1997) Pathogenesis and Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 337, 762-769. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm199709113371107
[4]
Lal, N. and Prajapati, P. (2024) Sickle Cell Disease: Causes, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Therapy. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10807549
[5]
Obeagu, E.I., Ubosi, N.I., Obeagu, G.U., Egba, S.I. and Bluth, M.H. (2024) Understanding Apoptosis in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients: Mechanisms and Implications. Medicine, 103, e36898. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000036898
[6]
Ahajumobi, N.E. and Asika, J.C. (2024) Afro Medicinal Plants a Promising Remedy for Sickle Cell Anemia. International Blood Research & Reviews, 15, 26-37. https://doi.org/10.9734/ibrr/2024/v15i1332
[7]
Delgadinho, M., Ginete, C., Santos, B., Mendes, J., Miranda, A., Vasconcelos, J., et al. (2022) Microbial Gut Evaluation in an Angolan Paediatric Population with Sickle Cell Disease. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 26, 5360-5368. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17402
[8]
Galadanci, N., Phillips, S., Schlenz, A., Ivankova, N. and Kanter, J. (2024) Current Methods of Newborn Screening Follow-Up for Sickle Cell Disease Are Highly Variable and without Quality Assurance: Results from the ENHANCE Study. International Journal of Neonatal Screening, 10, Article 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijns10010022
Spurway, A., George, S., Thompson, C. and Weeks, S. (2024) Sickle Cell Disease: Causes, Treatments and the Patient Experience. https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/sickle-cell-disease-causes-treatments-and-the-patient-experience
[11]
World Health Assembly (2006) Sickle-Cell Anaemia: Report by the Secretariat. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/20890
[12]
Ya, M.S., Mukuku, O., Lubala, T.K., Mutombo, A.M., Kanteng, G.W., Umumbu, W.S., et al. (2014) Drépanocytose chez l’enfant lushois de 6 à 59 mois en phase stationnaire: épidémiologie et clinique. Pan African Medical Journal, 19, Article 71. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.19.71.3684
[13]
Kuriri, F.A. (2023) Hope on the Horizon: New and Future Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12, Article 5692. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175692
[14]
Acharya, B., Mishra, D.P., Barik, B., Mohapatra, R.K. and Sarangi, A.K. (2023) Recent Progress in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease: An Up-to-Date Review. Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 12, Article No. 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-023-00373-w
[15]
Buhari, H.A., Ahmad, A.S. and Obeagu, E.I. (2023) Current Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia. Newport International Journal of Biological and Applied Sciences, 4, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.59298/nijbas/2023/1.1.11111
[16]
Yayo-Aye, M., Adjambri, A.E., Kouakou, B., N'guessan-Blao, R., Adjé, L.M., Kamagaté, T., et al. (2024) Impact of Hydroxyurea on Clinical and Biological Parameters of Sickle Cell Anemia in Children in Abidjan. Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 16, e2024026. https://doi.org/10.4084/mjhid.2024.026
[17]
Sadaf, A. and Quinn, C.T. (2020) L-Glutamine for Sickle Cell Disease: Knight or Pawn? Experimental Biology and Medicine, 245, 146-154. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370219900637
[18]
Jacobs, J.W., Stephens, L.D., Chooljian, D.M., Sharma, D., Adkins, B.D. and Booth, G.S. (2024) Crizanlizumab and Sickle Cell Disease: When Should Medications Have Their Approval Status Revoked? American Journal of Hematology, 99, 1016-1018. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.27275
[19]
Yenamandra, A. and Marjoncu, D. (2020) Voxelotor: A Hemoglobin S Polymerization Inhibitor for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 11, 873-877. https://doi.org/10.6004/jadpro.2020.11.8.7
[20]
Imaga, N.A. (2013) Phytomedicines and Nutraceuticals: Alternative Therapeutics for Sickle Cell Anemia. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, Article 269659. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/269659
[21]
Perampaladas, K., Masum, H., Kapoor, A., Shah, R., Daar, A.S. and Singer, P.A. (2010) The Road to Commercialization in Africa: Lessons from Developing the Sickle-Cell Drug Niprisan. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 10, Article No. 511. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-698x-10-s1-s11
[22]
Faye, L. and Champey, Y. (2008) Plantes, médicaments et génétique. Médecine/Sciences, 24, 939-946. https://doi.org/10.1051/medsci/20082411939
[23]
Mann, A., Ibrahim, K., Oyewale, O., et al. (2012) Isolation and Elucidation of Three Triterpenoids and Its Antimycobacterial Activity of Terminalia avicennioides. American Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2, 14-20. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ajoc.20120202.03
[24]
Mann, A., Banso, A. and Clifford, L.C. (2008) An Antifungal Property of Crude Plant Extracts from Anogeissusleiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides. Tanzania Journalof Health Research, 10, 34-38. https://doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v10i1.14339
[25]
Suleiman, M.M., Oyelowo, B.B., Abubakar, A., Mamman, M. and Bello, K.T. (2017) A Controlled Study to Investigate Anti-Diarrhoeal Effect of the Stem-Bark Fractions of Terminalia avicennioides in Laboratory Animal Models. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 5, 14-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijvsm.2017.04.002
[26]
Yahaya, S.F., Suleiman, M.M., Mohammed, A. and Ibrahim, N.D.G. (2019) Anti-diabetic Potentials of Stem-Bark Extracts of Terminaliaavicennioides on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. SokotoJournalofVeterinarySciences, 17, 33. https://doi.org/10.4314/sokjvs.v17i2.5
[27]
Re, R., Pellegrini, N., Proteggente, A., et al. (1999) Original Contribution Antioxidant Activity Applying an Improved ABTS Radical Cation Decolorization Assay. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 26, 1231-1237.
[28]
Sall, C., Seck, M., Faye, B., Dioum, M.D., Seck, I., Gueye, P.M., et al. (2016) Étude invitro de l’effet antifalcémiant des globules rouges et de l’activité antioxydante d’extraits de la poudre de racines de Maytenussenegalensis Lam (Celestraceae). InternationalJournalofBiological and Chemical Sciences, 10, Article 1017. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v10i3.9
[29]
Shabbir, M., Khan, M.R. and Saeed, N. (2013) Assessment of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Anti-Lipid Peroxidation and Anti-Hemolytic Activity of Extract and Various Fractions of Maytenusroyleanus Leaves. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, Article No. 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-143
[30]
Tripodi, D., Lyons, S. and Davies, D. (1971) Separation of Peripheral Leukocytes by Ficoll Density Gradient Centrifugation. Transplantation, 11, 487-488. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007890-197105000-00010
[31]
Amou, B., Ajayi, T.O. and Dada-Adegbola, H.O. (2025) Antimicrobial Activity of Terminalia leiocarpa Baill. and Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr. Root Bark Extracts in Resistant Clinical Isolates. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research, 13, 633-646. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2010_13.2.633
[32]
Musa, F.M., Muhammad-Idris, Z.K. and Wartu, J.R. (2024) Evaluation of Phytochemical, in Vitro Antibacterial and Rate of Kill Assay of Terminalia avicennioides Leaf against Some Bacteria Associated with Diarrhoea. Science World Journal, 19, 229-239. https://doi.org/10.4314/swj.v19i1.30
[33]
Maguirgue, K. (2022) Evaluation Phytochimique, Potentiels Antioxydants et Anti-Inflammatoires in Vitro des Extraits des Feuilles de Commelina benghalensis Linn (Commelinaceae). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 16, 2673-2684. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v16i6.17
[34]
Mathurin, I., Paul., N., Xavier, W., Frederic Armel, N., Mboïssio Angelique, O., Marinette, S., et al. (2025) Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Methanolic Extracts of the Root Bark of Terminalia avicennioides (Combretaceae). World Journal of Organic Chemistry, 12, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.12691/wjoc-12-1-1
[35]
Mohammed, S.A.M., Abdalla, E.I., Eisa, I.M., Mohamed, H.Y., Hassan, A.B. and Elbasheir, M.M. (2024) To Study the in Vitro Anti-Sickling Activity of Adansonia Digitata Fruits Extract on Sickle Cells. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 35, 384-392. https://doi.org/10.9734/ejmp/2024/v35i61234
[36]
Diouf, I., Sene, M., Ba, A., Ndiaye, M., Sene, M., Ouedraogo, A., et al. (2025) Antisickling Properties of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Ficus Abutilifolia Leaves. Journal of African Association of Physiological Sciences, 12, 31-37. https://doi.org/10.4314/jaaps.v12i2.4
[37]
Diouf, S. (2019) Etude des activités antioxydante, antihémolytique et antifalcémiante d’une combinaison d’extraits méthanolique de: Carica Papaya, Hibuscis Sabdariffa et Terminalia avicennioides. Thèse d’exercice, Pharmacie, Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar.
[38]
Osredkar, J. (2024) Quercetin-Effects on Human Health. Intech Open. https://www.intechopen.com
[39]
Karim, M.A., Islam, M.A., Islam, M.M., Rahman, M.S., Sultana, S., Biswas, S., et al. (2020) Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Hemolytic, Cytotoxic Effects and Anti-Bacterial Activity of Selected Mangrove Plants (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Heritiera littoralis) in Bangladesh. ClinicalPhytoscience, 6, Article No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-020-0152-9
[40]
James, O. and Alewo, I.M. (2014) In Vitro Antihemolytic Activity of Gymnema Sylvestre Extracts Against Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Induced Haemolysis in Human Erythrocytes. American Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Therapeutics, 2, 861-869.
[41]
Kumar Kurre, M., Patra, S. and Patra, P.K. (2025) In Vitro Anti-Sickling Activities of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. International Journal of Advanced Research, 13, 326-332. https://doi.org/10.21474/ijar01/20570
[42]
Hatia, S., Septembre-Malaterre, A., Le Sage, F., Badiou-Bénéteau, A., Baret, P., Payet, B., et al. (2014) Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Major Dietary Polyphenols and Their Protective Effect on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and Red Blood Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress. Free Radical Research, 48, 387-401. https://doi.org/10.3109/10715762.2013.879985
[43]
Tsao, R. (2010) Chemistry and Biochemistry of Dietary Polyphenols. Nutrients, 2, 1231-1246. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2121231
[44]
Hapner, C.D., Deuster, P. and Chen, Y. (2010) Inhibition of Oxidative Hemolysis by Quercetin, but Not Other Antioxidants. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 186, 275-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2010.05.010
[45]
Sadeghi, A., Taherifard, E., Dehdari Ebrahimi, N., Rafiei, E., Hadianfard, F. and Taherifard, E. (2023) Effects of l-Arginine Supplementation in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Health Science Reports, 6, e1167. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1167
[46]
Korman, R., Hatabah, D., Brown, L.A., Harris, F., Bakhsi, N., Rees, C., et al. (2023) Mechanism(s)-of-Action for Arginine Therapy in Children with Sickle Cell Disease and Vaso-Occlusive Pain: Results of a Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Study. Blood, 142, 3861-3861. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2023-187793
