Phytochemistry, Mineral Estimation, Nutritional, and the In Vitro Anti-Sickling Potentials of Oil Extracted from the Seeds of Mucuna Flagellipes

Abstract. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder indicative of red blood cells becoming sickle-shaped. The study investigated the in vitro anti-sickling potentials of the seed oil of M. flagellipes. The phytochemistry (fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals) was also determined using standard protocols. Finally, nutritional calculations on the oil were performed to determine its suitability for nutritional purposes. The result showed high zinc content (780 ± 2.50 µg/ 100 mg), while low iron content was observed (170 ± 1.30 µg/ 100 mg). Vitamin analysis showed the presence of vitamins A, E and K with values of 220 ± 1.60, 370 ± 2.20, and 197 ± 0.23 µg/100 mg respectively.  The fatty acid profile revealed oleic (31.87 %) and linoleic (18.30 %) fatty acids as the major unsaturated fat in the oil, while palmitic fatty acid (5.91 %) was the major saturated fatty acid. Nutritional calculations showed high PUFA/SFA (2.07), MUFA/SFA (3.62), and UI (68.47). However, the index of thrombogenicity (0.07) and atherogenicity (0.11) was low in the seed oil. Finally, the in vitro anti-sickling potentials of the seed oil showed the oil inhibited and reversed sickling in a dose-dependent manner. Hbs polymerization was also inhibited and Fe2+/Fe3+ was upregulated following treatment with the seed oil. Collectively, the oil showed good anti-sickling potentials, which can be labelled to the presence of zinc, vitamins and unsaturated fat. The nutritional calculations suggest that the seed oil is cardio-friendly and does not pose any nutritional threat.