Gliricidia sepium Aqueous Leaf Extract Possesses Antisickling Property

Background: Extracts of leaf, flower and bark of Gliricidia sepium have been used in the treatment of patients with pathogenic bacterial infections, skin diseases, nematodes and antioxidants disturbances. We recently had information of its use in the treatment of sickle cell disease in some parts of Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the in-vitro antisickling properties of Gliricidia sepium aqueous leaf extract.

Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Methods: Air-dried leaves were ground and an aliquot, 100 g was extracted by maceration in 1.0 L of distilled water as solvent for 72 h with periodic stirring. The same procedure was repeated with residues and the mixture was filtered and concentrated to dryness. Different concentrations (5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 45 mg and 50 mg) were made from the extract and then tested for their antisickling activities against haemoglobin SS blood using freshly prepared 2% sodium metabisulphite.

Results: Our findings revealed strong antisickling activity; 20% antisckling at 5 mg, 50% at 10 mg, 80% at 15 mg and 100% antisickling from 20 mg upward for the leaf extract.

Conclusion: It has been shown for the first time, from this study that aqueous extract of Gliricidia sepium has strong antisickling properties justifying its use by the herbalists in the management of sickle cell disease. Toxicity studies, isolation and characterization of active compound are on-going in our laboratories.