Role of medicinal plants in free radical induced sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common recessively inherited disorder of hemoglobin affecting peoples everywhere in the world. The homozygous state (SS) is associated with complications and reduced life anticipation. The symptoms including, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, abdominal pains, aches and pains in the muscle. One cause of this disease is oxidative stress which is an imbalance between the reactive oxygen species and the potential of the body to neutralize these reactive species. An anti-oxidant is a substance which prevents oxidative stress by scavenging the free radicals. Medicinal plants are good and rich sources of natural antioxidants. Crude extracts from plants have been used in treating many diseases since ancient times. Various advances in scientific research on the use of plants and herbs explore the beneficial aspects of traditional medicine. This review highlights the role of oxidative stress in the progression and development of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and reviews the available literature reporting antisickling properties of a number of plants extracts.