In-vitro anti-sickling and membrane stability potentials of Mishenland polyherbal extract on sickle red blood cells

Abstract

Background Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes stiff, rod-like sickle-shaped hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs) and consequently poses serious health complications.Aim We investigated an in-vitro anti-sickling potential of a novel Mishenland polyherbal formula (MPF) for possible ameliorative effects.Materials and methods Sickling of RBCs induced with 2% sodium metabisulfite was followed by treatment with MPF mixtures in different saline concentrations (7, 9, 14, and 28 mg/ml). The red cell morphology was examined microscopically. Percentage sickling was assessed at 30 min intervals at 37°C for 2 h. The effect of the MPF on membrane stability of RBCs was analyzed using osmotic fragility testing.Results Qualitative phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of some secondary metabolites namely alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, saponin, tannin, and terpenoids. Sickling of RBCs induced with metabisulfite was inhibited by MPF. This anti-sickling effect was directly proportional to the concentration of the MPF, dose dependently. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between MPF-treated and untreated sickled red cell counts. Osmotic fragility curves obtained from MPF-treated RBCs showed leftward shifts against the untreated control, indicative of increased RBC membrane stabilization and hemolytic resistance, while the mean corpuscular fragility also showed a significant difference (P<0.05).Conclusion MPF demonstrated significant anti-sickling and erythrocyte membrane stability properties. These effects under hypoxia signified a promising effect of the bioactive components as probable drug candidates against sickling of red cells.