Effects of Aqueous Extract of Terminalia catappa L. on Membrane Stability of Sickle Cell Erythrocytes

Background: The effects of 800 mg% aqueous extract of T. catappa on membrane stability of human erythrocytes of HbSS genotype were investigated using in vitro studies. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the membrane stabilizing potential of aqueous extract of T. catappa on sickle cell erythrocytes. Study Design: Laboratory Experimental Design was used in this study. Place and Duration: Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. The study was carried out between November, 2010 and May, 2011. Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric method was employed in determining the osmotic fragility index of HbSS erythrocytes. The mean corpuscular fragility (MCF) of the control was 0.422 ± 0.80 g/100 ml, whereas that of the test sample was 0.36 ± 0.014 g/100 ml. The percentage stabilization for the HbSS erythrocytes, which was calculated using the MCF values, was 14.28%. The MCF values of the control and the test showed significant difference (p < 0.05). Results: The result showed that aqueous extract of T. catappa exhibited an increasing capacity to stabilize HbSS erythrocytes membrane. Conclusion: The present study showed that aqueous extract of T. catappa L. exhibited membrane stability potential on sickle cell erythrocytes.