The glorybower herb can be used to treat sickle cell disease

Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker has been traditionally used to treat sickle cell disease. In a study published in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants, the efficacy of C. polycephalum in managing pain due to sickle cell disease has been verified.

• Researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria examined the efficiency of  C. polycephalum leaf extracts in treating pains associated with sickle cell disease.
• Pain in sickle cell disease is due to the sickling of red blood cells.
• They collected the leaves of C. polycephalum, oven-dried them, and macerated in methanol for 72 hours.
• Then, the methanol extract was further divided into various solvents: n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and water.
• They collected blood samples from people with sickle cell anemia to test the antisickling properties of  C. polycephalum extract using inhibitory and reversal models.
• Results revealed that the methanol extract of  C. polycephalum can prevent and reverse sickling.
• The antisickling effects of  C. polycephalum leaf extracts were dose-dependent and purification greatly enhanced the reversal activity.
• The results of the study confirmed the beneficial effects of  C. polycephalum in managing pain associated with sickle cell disorder.
• The researchers believed that the extract re-oxygenates red blood cells and restores the shape of the cells, thereby reducing pain.

The researchers concluded that the findings of the study verified the beneficial effect of  C. polycephalum leaf extract in reducing pain caused by sickle cell disease.

Read the full text of the study at this link^[PDF].

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Journal Reference:

Cyril-Olutayo MC, Adewoyin FA, Ogunyemi AO. EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CLERODENDRUM POLYCEPHALUM BAKER LEAF EXTRACTS ON SICKLE RED BLOOD CELLS. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 7 June 2018. 24(1): 1-10. DOI: 10.9734/EJMP/2018/41202