The kinetics of reversal of pre-sickled erythrocytes by the aqueous extract of cajanus cajan seeds

The aqueous mcthanol extract (3:1, v/v) of the seeds of Cajanns cajan was investigated for antisickling properties. The extract possessed significant antisickling activity and was found to be concentrationdependent. The kinetics of reversal of presickled erythrocyte (HbSS) cells using the extract at 0.5 mg/mL, l.Omg/mL, 1.5mg/mL, 2.0mg/niL and 2.5mg/mL showed first-order kinetics with rate constants of 5.833 × 10-3 min-1, 6.143 × 10-3 min-1, 5.957 × 10-3 min-1 6.00 × 10-3 min-1 and 6.046 × 10-3 min-1, respectively, and with an average half-life 115.6 min. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of free aniino acids, phenolic compounds, tannins, globulins and saponins. These results show that the extract has potential use in the management of painful episodes experienced by sickle cell patients. Copyright ©2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.