Antisickling Studies of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Detarium microcarpum (Tallow Tree)

Abstract

Detarium microcarpum (DM) is shrub that grows wildly in Nigeria. Few studies have been conducted on the leaf extract. The plant forms part of some recipes used in the treatment of sickle cell disease. This study aims to determine the phytochemical composition and antisickling property of various concentrations of Detarium microcarpum aqueous leaf extract. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screenings were conducted using established protocols while the antisickling prevention and reversal studies were evaluated using Emmel’s test. There was no significant difference between the antisickling prevention (p>0.05) and reversal (p>0.05) property of the aqueous extract compared to positive control (p-hydroxybenzoic acid). Phytochemical screening revealed high abundance of flavonoids and very little presence of terpenoids among the classes of phytochemicals screened. There was also no significant variation in the antisickling activity of the various doses (0.1 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml) of the extract tested. The LD₅₀ conducted showed that it is completely safe in mice. The findings from this study suggest that Detarium microcarpum aqueous extract at various concentrations possesses both sickling prevention and reversal effect which may be exploited for the management of sickle cell disease.