<i>In vitro</i> effects of aqueous extracts of <i>Zanthoxylum macrophylla</i> roots on adenosines triphosphatases from human erythrocytes of different genotypes

Abstract

The in vitro effects of aqueous extracts of Zanthoxylum macrophylla roots on the activities of three ATPases (Na + , K + -; Ca 2+ -; and Mg 2+ -ATPases) were investigated in membrane preparations from human erythrocytes of HbAA, HbAS and HbSS bloods. The activities of these membrane-bound enzymes were determined in the presence of varying concentrations of the plant extract. The results indicated that for Na + , K + -and Ca 2+ -ATPases, a dose-dependent activation of the three enzymes by the aqueous plant extract occurred. The trend for the different genotypes was HbSS>HbAS>HbAA. The activations were significant (p<0.05) when compared with activities obtained in the absence of the plant extract. Phenylalanine, a known anti-sickling agent, at varying concentrations (200-800µM) produced similar activating effect. In contrast, the extract inhibited the Mg 2+ -ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner with a trend of HbSS>HbAS>HbAA. The inhibitions seen were significant (p<0.05) in comparison with activities in the absence of the plant extract. Phenylalanine produced similar effect for Mg 2+ -ATPase. These findings in this study suggest that differences in the ATPases of the different genotypes may account for the reports of other workers on the involvement of ion transport as a factor in the physiological manifestation of sickle cell disease. The findings are also significant to an understanding of the molecular basis for the use of the aqueous extract of Z. macrophylla roots in the management of sickle cell disease.

The Effects of Extracts of Christmas Bush (Alchornea cordefolia) on Sickle Cell Hemoglobin

“…The extracts of Pterocarpus santolinoids and Aloe vera were reported to increase the gelling time of sickle cell blood and inhibit sickling in vitro. This indicates that such plants may indeed have great potential in the management of sickle cell disorders [21]. Thirteen Congolese plants were screened for antisickling properties and only five of them were reported to posses such property [17].…”

The antisickling effect of stem extracts of Costus afer

“…Arginine, a basic non-essential amino was significantly present at a concentration of 5.30 g/mg. It plays keys roles inhibiting sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization and improving the oxidant status of sickle erythrocytes [14,25,26]. Table 6 shows varying concentration of TFAA (per mg/50 g) of different extracts of Costus afer stem.…”

Identification of the Anti-sickling Activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus and In Silico Investigation of Some of Its Phytochemicals

“…Several plants are being used in traditional medicine for the management of sickle cell anaemia and the anti-sickling activity of some of these plants has been scientifically verified. Cajanus cajan seeds (21), Zanthoxylum macrophylla roots (22,23), Parquetina nigrescens root (24), and Carica papaya leaf (25) have been proven to have anti-sickling activity. Some herbal formulations such as Niprisan ® (17) and Ajaworon (18) are also commercially available for managing the disease.…”