In Vitro Antisickling and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth (Fabaceae)

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment and prevention of human diseases including Sickle Cell Disease is an old indigenous technology in Africa. Pentaclethra macrophylla is traditionally used in Congolese folk medicine to treat Sickle Cell Disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antisickling and radical scavenging activities of Pentaclethra macrophylla stem barks using Emmel’s test and the radical DPPH assay.  The results showed that n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol soluble fractions exhibited interesting antisickling activity compared to that of ethyl acetate soluble fraction, as revealed by the observed normal biconcave form of sickle erythrocyte in hypoxic conditions. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and methanol soluble fractions revealed a significant radical scavenging activity. The methanol soluble fraction exhibited a promising antiradical activity (IC50 = 1.517 ± 0.053 µg/mL). The chemical screening performed on this plant species revealed the presence of anthocyanins and organic acids which were then extracted. Total anthocyanins and organic acids revealed interesting antisickling and antioxidant properties, thus justifying the use of Pentaclethra macrophylla in Congolese traditional healers to treat Sickle Cell Disease In the best of our knowledge, Pentaclethra macrophylla has not been yet scientifically validated as antisickling plant in Democratic Republic of the Congo.