Abstract

Traditional healers have been using condiments from natural sources as antisickling remedies in Southern Nigeria. This study was aimed at establishing the pharmacognostic profile and investigating the antisickling activity of the leaves of Peperomia pellucida (L.) HBK (Piperaceae). Evaluation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves were carried out to determine the macromorphological, micromorphological, chemomicroscopic, numerical and phytochemical profiles. Chemical tests were employed in phytochemical investigations. Evaluation of the antisickling activity involved the inhibition of sodium metabisulphite-induced sickling of the HbSS red blood cells obtained from confirmed sickle cell patients who were not in crises. Macro and microscopical studies gave results that could serve as a basis for proper identification, collection and investigation of the leaves of P. pellucida. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Percentage sickling inhibitions of the aqueous methanol extract of P. pellucida were significant all through the period of assay p < 0. 05 compared to normal saline. The maximum percentage inhibition of sickling exhibited by the 500 mg/ml of the extract was 57.5% at 90 min incubation. These results showed that P. pellucida has a role in the treatment of sickle cell disorders and a candidate for further investigations.

Key words: Peperomia pellucida, Piperaceae, pharmacognostic evaluation, sickle cell disorders.