In vitro biochemical investigations of the effects of Carica papaya and Fagara zanthoxyloides on antioxidant status and sickle erythrocytes
Date
2011-08
Authors
Imaga, Ngozi O. A.
Shaire, Esther A.
Ogbeide, Samson
Samuel, K. Akindele
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
Various works have identified a number of herbal applications that have ameliorating effects on sickle
cell disorders. The antisickling activities of dried Carica papaya leaves and roots of Fagara
zanthoxyloides are being investigated in this study to determine the antioxidant properties of the plant
extracts and their effects on homozygous sickle cell (SS) erythrocytes in vitro. The antisickling activity
of both extracts were determined as well as analyses of hematological parameters, hemolysis of SS
cells and formation of membrane associated denatured hemoglobin (MADH) used to measure the
effects of plant extracts on the erythrocyte. Folin-C total phenol and beta-carotene methods of assay
were used to determine antioxidant activity, while the effect of plant extracts on oxidative stress was
measured by assaying for superoxide dismutase, catalase, gluthathione transferase levels and lipid
peroxidation. Results confirmed the potent antisickling activity of both plants. The levels of the
oxidative stress enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GST) and lipid
peroxidation were reduced after blood samples had been incubated with the extracts. The extracts
therefore protected membrane integrity resulting in a reduction of red blood cells (RBC) hemolysis
without met-hemoglobin formation. Both plant extracts possess potent antioxidant activity which may
be responsible for their observed antisickling action.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Chemistry::Biochemistry , Fagara , papaya , oxidative stress enzymes , antioxidant activity , hemolysis
Citation
Imaga Ngozi O. A., Shaire Esther .A., Ogbeide Samson and Samuel K. Akindele African Journal of Biochemistry Research 5(8). 226-236. 2001