In Vivo Antianaemic Activity of Dalbergia Ecastaphyllum and Millettia barteri, Two Plants Used for Controlling Sickle Cell Disease and Associated Disorders

Background: Sickle cell disease is a disease that is of a real public health concern in many West African countries such Côte d’Ivoire. The associated diseases are anaemia, pain, which are mainly managed with medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potency of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (DA) and Millettia barteri (MB), used in traditional medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Methods: The anti-anaemic activity of the aqueous extracts of leaves was studied in male Swiss Wistar mice aged 6-8 weeks. After induction of anaemia with Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) through intraperitoneal injection, the mice was subsequently treated with an 50, 100 and 350 mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of MB and DE over a 21-day period. Acute toxicity and Phytochemicals were assessed using standard procedures. Parameters such as body weight, white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Results: These two plants were not toxic at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight. The PHZ induced anaemia was corrected after three weeks of oral administration of extracts to mice and the effect was higher at 50 mg/kg body weight. The hemoglobin increased from 12.98 g/dL before treatment, increases to 14.04 g/dL after treatment with MB extract and from 12.66 g/dL to 14.06 g/dL with DE. Phytochemical analysis revealed these plants contained polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, coumarins and aromatic amino acids. Conclusion: These results validate the traditional use of DE and MB against anaemia, one of the main associated disorders to sickle cell disease.