Anti-Sickling Effect of Aqueous and Hexane Extract of Fagara Zanthoxylum Zanthoxyloide Stalk on the Blood of Patient With Sickle Cell Disease

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by the synthesis of hemoglobin S, affecting approximately 300,000-400,000 infants annually worldwide, with particularly high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional medicinal plants, especially Fagara Z., have shown promise in SCD management, though systematic validation of their therapeutic properties remains limited. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antisickling properties of Fagara. Z. and establish its potential as a viable therapeutic agent for sickle cell disease management. The objectives include, assessing in vitro antisickling activity, comparing aqueous and hexane extracts, and determining optimal concentrations. METHODS: The study employed both aqueous and hexane extraction methods on Fagara Z. stalk collected from Erekansan market in Ado Ekiti. In vitro antisickling assays were conducted using blood samples from HbSS patients. Sickling inhibition and reversal tests were performed using various extract concentrations (0.1-2 mg/ml), with sodium metabisulphite as a sickling agent. The effectiveness was evaluated through microscopic analysis and percentage calculations of sickling reversal. RESULTS: The hexane extract demonstrated significantly superior antisickling activity compared to the aqueous extract (p