Antisickling and antibacterial activities of Garcinia punctata Oliv. (Clusiaceae) and Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae) from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sickle cell Disease (SCD) is a health public problem in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The aim the present study was to evaluate both the antisickling and antibacterial activities of Garcinia punctata and Tetradenia riparia and the modes of antisickling action of organic acids extracted from the two selected plants.Results revealed that the erythrocytes (RBCs) normalization rates were >75% for all plant extracts. While the rates of sickle RBCs hemolysis inhibition were 64 and 57% respectively for organic acids extracted from G. punctata and T. riparia. Organic acids extract displayed also an increase in osmotic fragility of sickle RBCs, an inhibition of the polymerization of hemoglobin S into tactoids (anti-gelling effect) and an inhibition/reduction of MetHb S formation in aqueous solution. Anthocyanins and organic acids extracts displayed also interesting antibacterial activities. E coli ATCC 25 922 was the most sensitive strain towards anthocyanins and organic acids extracts of G. punctata and T. riparia (MIC = MBC = 31.25 µg/ml).On the other hand, the anthocyanin extracts of these two plant species displayed bacteriostatic effect towards Staphylococcus strains. These bacteria are implicated in septicemia and osteomyelitis in SCD patients. Medicinal plant extracts displaying at the same time antibacterial, antisickling and anti-hemolytic effects could be useful in the management of Sickle cell disease.