Effects of Aqueous Extract of Terminalia catappa L. on Membrane Stability of Sickle Erythrocytes
E. K. Chukwunyere *
Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. and Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
P. C. Chikezie
Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
P. C. Anuforo
Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. and Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Nigeria.
J. Adejor
Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. and Department of Biochemistry, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
H. C. Nwankwo
Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The effects of 800 mg% aqueous extract of T. catappa on membrane stability of human erythrocytes of HbSS genotype were investigated using in vitro studies.
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the membrane stabilizing potential of aqueous extract of T. catappa on sickle cell erythrocytes.
Study Design: Laboratory Experimental Design was used in this study.
Place and Duration: Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. The study was carried out between November, 2010 and May, 2011.
Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric method was employed in determining the osmotic fragility index of HbSS erythrocytes. The mean corpuscular fragility (MCF) of the control was 0.422 ± 0.80 g/100 ml, whereas that of the test sample was 0.36 ± 0.014 g/100 ml. The percentage stabilization for the HbSS erythrocytes, which was calculated using the MCF values, was 14.28%. The MCF values of the control and the test showed significant difference (p < 0.05).
Results: The result showed that aqueous extract of T. catappa exhibited an increasing capacity to stabilize HbSS erythrocytes membrane.
Conclusion: The present study showed that aqueous extract of T. catappa L. exhibited membrane stability potential on sickle cell erythrocytes.
Keywords: Sickle cell erythrocytes, mean corpuscular fragility, genotypes, osmotic fragility, Terminalia catappa.