Aged garlic extract therapy for sickle cell anemia patients.
BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia is one of the most prevalent hereditary disorders with prominent morbidity and mortality. With this disorder oxidative, phenomena play a significant role in its pathophysiology. One of the garlic (Allium sativum L.) formulations, aged garlic extract (AGE), has been reported to exert an anti-oxidant effect in vitro, we have evaluated the anti-oxidant effect of AGE on sickle red blood cells (RBC). METHODS: Five patients (two men and three women, mean age 40 &PlusMinus; 15 years, range 24-58 years) with sickle cell anemia participated in the study. AGE was administered at a dose of 5 ml a day. Whole blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 4 weeks for primarily Heinz body analysis. RESULTS: The data were consistent with our hypothesis. In all patients, the number of Heinz bodies decreased over the 4 week period (58.9 &PlusMinus; 20.0% at baseline to 29.8 &PlusMinus; 15.3% at follow-up, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that there is a significant anti-oxidant activity of AGE on sickle RBC. AGE may be further evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent to ameliorate complications of sickle cell anemia.
Takasu
Junichiro
J
Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance, CA. yniihara@rei.edu
Uykimpang
Rolando
R
Sunga
Maria
M
Amagase
Harunobu
H
Niihara
Yutaka
Y