In vitro impact of treatment with aqueous extract of Cassia Fistula on red blood cell sickling in individuals with sickle cell trait

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder caused by a replacement of an amino acid in the hemoglobin structure, followed by disturbance in its electrical charge. In this disorder, the solubility of hemoglobin is reduced, in hypoxic condition, and formation of crystals occurs, leading to sickling the shape of red blood cells (RBC). The Cassia Fistula (C. fistula) (Flous Plant), as a flowering plant in the fabaceae family, is used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aqueous extract of C. fistula (the ripped fruit) on red cells in sickle cell anemia. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of C. fistula fruit was obtained by vacuum distillation method, using different dilutions of 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200. The RBC from individuals presenting the hemoglobin S (HbS) trait were washed and treated with different dilutions. After 24 hours incubation, they were evaluated by sickling test (sodium metabisulfite test). The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for data analysis. Results: Sickle cells were observed among 20% of subjects with the dilution of 1:50 and 70% of subjects with the dilution of 1:100. Mean percentage of sickle red cells with dilutions of 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200 were 3.75%, 25.75% and 43.0%, respectively. Conclusions: It is suggested that C. fistula may protect RBC against sickling, in hypoxic conditions, in individuals with HbS gene defect.