Biochemical Studies on hydroethanolic extracts of Eremomastax polysperma (Benth.) Dandy used in the management of sickle cell disease

3µL), platelet count (1015.40 ± 22.67µL), lymphocyte (9.22 ± 1.38µL) and haematocrit (44.36 ± 1.70%); these were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than for the negative control groups. The extract affected two of the major enzymes responsible for liver function significantly, viz. decreased (p < 0.05) levels of Aspartate Amino Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline Amino Transaminase (ALT) while Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was not significantly affected. Pain was relieved significantly by the extract and the effect was dose dependent as shown by the percentage inhibition of 18.61, 48.62 and 51.03%, respectively, for 100, 200, 300 mg/kg body weight, although it is significantly lower than 83.10% recorded for the standard drug assayed (aspirin at 30mg/kg body weight). The mechanism of sickle cell inhibition though not clear, is thought to possibly arise from possible nutrigenomic and epigenetic influences of the extract.