The testimony of Mr James Koredele Olalowo, a 40-year-old teacher is an encouragement to parents and persons living with sickle cell disease (SCD). His testimony is that individuals can live almost bone pain-free by avoiding triggers of bone crisis and daily consumption of pigeon peas.
“I thought I was bewitched because I fall sick often. The severe pains in the bone also left me thinking at other times that I stepped on a charm. But much later, a blood test diagnosed sickle cell disease,” said Olalowo.
Olalowo spoke at the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month celebration by Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF), tagged “Mothers of Warriors in Action” in Ibadan.
Despite his SS genotype, he cultivates acres of farmland in Oyo town and hardly takes sick days because he has learnt to avoid sickle cell crisis triggers like cold, constipation, stress and dehydration. He also eats pigeon peas and drinks its leaf decoction.
“Pigeon pea helps reduce the frequency of bone pain, although many women avoid it because it takes longer to cook. Also, its leaf decoction is helpful too, a cup of it in the morning and another at night. But this should be combined with the regular medications for people with sickle cell disease like folic acid and paludrine,” he added.
Mrs Rufai Omolara, also declared that her 16-year-old teenager with sickle cell disease takes the decoction made with the leaves of pigeon pea and bamboo plants and has lessened his sickle cell crisis.
Sickle cell disease affects millions worldwide and has been recognized as a global health concern by WHO.
Presently, there is no cure for sickle cell disease. Treatment options which include bone marrow, stem cell transplantation, blood transfusions, and hydroxyurea are not only expensive but have their side effects.
Medicinal plants are often employed in the treatment of diseases because of the therapeutic effects of the secondary metabolites in them.
Pigeon pea, an important leguminous crop in Africa, is used in some parts of the world for the treatment and management of sickle cell disease.
Pigeon peas, also known as Fiofio in Igbo, Aduwa in Hausa, and Otili in Yoruba have shown promise in managing sickle cell disease due to its anti-sickling properties, offering a potential therapeutic role in treating the condition.
Its leaf also can cure diseases like measles, smallpox, chicken pox, sickle cell anaemia, fever, dysentery and hepatitis.
Pigeon pea extracts have shown potential in managing obesity, decreasing cholesterol, and preventing type 2 diabetes.
Research, in the Scientific World Journal, indicates that pigeon pea possesses anti-sickling properties, which may alleviate symptoms associated with sickle cell disease. Also, it contains protein and essential nutrients, which can help address nutritional deficiencies common in SCD patients.
Interestingly, its therapeutic effect extends to sickle cell beta thalassemia, a variant of sickle cell disease.
In a study, researchers employed several tests to evaluate the anti-sickling properties of the plant, including reversibility tests, polymerisation tests, osmotic fragility tests, deoxygenation tests, beta synthesis, and oxy-haemoglobin concentration measurements.
The result showed that the plant extract reversed the sickled cells, reduced the rate of polymerization, maintained the stability of the cell membrane, increased beta-globin synthesis and increased the oxy-haemoglobin concentration.
Reversing the sickling of red blood cells is a key factor in reducing the complications associated with sickle cell disease; a reduction in the rate of haemoglobin polymerisation, a process that contributes to the sickling of red blood cells, and maintaining the stability of the cell membrane is vital for the overall health and functionality of red blood cells.
The extract was shown to enhance the synthesis of beta globin, an important component of hemoglobin, which can improve oxygen transport in the blood. An increase in oxy-hemoglobin concentration is indicative of an improved oxygen delivery to tissues of the body.
Researchers, in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, therefore suggested that pigeon pea could be developed into a natural therapeutic option for individuals suffering from sickle cell beta thalassemia as it could provide a more accessible and potentially safer alternative to current treatments, which often have significant side effects and high costs.
While the results are promising, the study emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the pharmacological effects of pigeon pea and to establish standardized treatment protocols for its use in clinical settings.
Research indicates that specific compounds in pigeon pea, such as L-phenylalanine and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, may inhibit the sickling of red blood cells, thereby reducing hemolysis and chronic anemia associated with SCD.
The nutritional composition of pigeon pea, including essential amino acids and vitamins, supports overall health, which is vital for individuals managing SCD.
Incorporating pigeon pea into various food products can enhance dietary diversity and improve overall health outcomes for those with SCD.
While pigeon pea presents a natural approach to alleviating SCD symptoms, reliance solely on dietary interventions may not suffice; comprehensive medical management remains essential for effective SCD treatment.
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