Abstract

Justicia secunda is used locally for wound healing, anemia, abdominal pain, etc. Endophytes are reported to produce bioactive metabolites. The study aimed to perform pharmacognostic analysis and evaluate the effect of endophytic extract of J. secunda on human sickle haemoglobin and polymerization inhibition. Plant samples were collected and dried under shade, pulverized. Chemomicroscopy was conducted. After surface sterilization, samples were air dried, cut into sizes and aseptically cultivated on sterile malt extract agar plates, incubated at 25-28 ºC for 4-7 days. Pure endophytic fungi were fermented on rice medium. With ethical approval, blood samples were collected from the sickle cell individuals. HbSS polymerization was assessed by the turbidity of the mixture at 700 nm. There was significant percentage antisickling of 63.22% at 5 mg/mL, 53.90% at 2.5 mg/mL and 50.44% at 1.25 mg/mL of the endophytic extracts. The endophytic extract (LB2) reduced sickled cells compared to the control. The polymerization was reduced from 1.880-1.839 by the 5% w/v extract, 1.587 to 1.534 by 2.5%w/v extract etc., in more than 30 min. The endophyte extract of J. secunda may be used in managing anaemia in patients with sickle cell disease.

Keywords: Justicia secunda, Anemia, Sickle cell, Medicinal plant, Red blood cells