title: Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a herbal extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro.
abstract: Pfaffia paniculata (PP) is a perennial wild plant that grows in South America. Its root powder has been used by South American Indians for a variety of ailments and has been reported to have a salutary effect on sickle cell disease in Brazil. Its mechanism of action, however, is unknown. In this report, we present experimental data showing that PP improves the deformability of sickle cells, increases their Na+ content and their mean corpuscular volume (MCV). These findings indicate that PP functions as a sodium ionophore on sickle cells and improves their hydration status and rheological properties.
authors.affiliation: Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Samir.Ballas@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ballas
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices / Q000187:drug effects; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007476:Ionophores; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007476:Ionophores; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012964:Sodium