In vitro Antisickling and Radical Scavenging Activities of a Poly-herbal Formula (Drepanoalpha®) in Sickle Cell Erythrocyteand Acute Toxicity Study in Wistar Albino Rats

Aims: To evaluate the antisickling and radical scavenging activities and acute toxicity of indigenous nutritive formula Drepanoalpha®, produced through a bio-guided based plant selection.

Study Design: Drepanoalpha® extracts, Antisickling activity by Emmel test, Antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl bleaching methods; acute toxicity on rats, determination of biological and haematological parameters.

Place and Duration of Study: Science Faculty University of Kinshasa, between January 2013 and February 2014.

Methodology: The antisickling and antioxidant activities of Drepanoalpha® were determined using Emmel and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl bleaching methods respectively. Acute oral toxicity test was performed to determine the LD50. Liver and kidney functions, the hematological and histopathological examinations were assessed using standard techniques.

Results: Obtained results revealed that Drepanoalpha® possessesinteresting in vitro antisickling and antioxidant activities as revealed by the observed normal biconcave form of sickle erythrocyte (normalization rate >80%) and the radical scavenging activity (ED50= 0.604 ± 0.028 µg/mL). Acute toxicity assessment revealed that the medium lethal dose (LD50) is higher than 4000 mg/kg. Drepanoalpha® significantly increases the values of WBC, RBC, Hb, HCT, PLT, IDR-CV and PCT. Furthermore, this polyherbal formula significantly decreases the values of IDR-SD, P-RGC, AST and ALT (p<0.05). Both the control and treated groups displayed comparable non altered histological architecture of the liver cells.

Discussion: The mean values of biochemical markers and hematological markers of treated rats revealed that Drépanoalpha® is potentially safe indicating non-toxic effect of the phytomedicine on immune cells and blood clotting factors. Moreover, this poly-herbal formulation increases the hemoglobin rate in the all treated rats (500-4000 mg/kg bodyweight) and preserves the histological architecture of the liver cells.

Conclusion: Drepanoalpha® may increase weight gain, promote erythropoiesis and thrombopoeisis in sicklers patients. This phytomedicine could be used in the treatment of all form of anemia and may also prevent bile duct obstruction or intra-hepatic cholestasis. The results can form the basis for clinical trials in humans.