Therapeutic role of natural agents in beta-thalassemia: A review

Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disease caused by either reduced production or complete absence of beta-globin chains. It is characterized by dyserythropoiesis which leads to the development of early erythroid precursor cells into immature erythroblasts. Patients with high level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) develop less severe symptoms and survive normally. Therefore, augmentation of the level of HbF has been an effective therapeutic approach for patients of beta-thalassemia. Iron overload is the leading cause of mortality in beta-thalassemia. Natural pharmacological agents have been used to stimulate the HbF level and reduce iron overload in patients suffering from this deleterious disease. This is an efficient way to treat beta-thalassemia as it also provides better correlation between in vivo and in vitro synthesis of beta-globin chains in patients. Being economic, it is also affordable for the patients in developing countries. This article reports some natural compounds of plant origin having a therapeutic role in inducing HbF level and possessing chelation therapy in beta-thalassemia patients.