@article {2584, title = {Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-sickling, and Membrane Stabilization Properties of Justicia carnea Leaves and Stems Extracts}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {18}, year = {2026}, month = {January 2026}, pages = {1-7}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive inherited genetic blood disorder resulting from the aberrant structure of hemoglobin (Hb) that results in the production of hemoglobin S (Hb S). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant, anti-sickling, and membrane stabilizing activities of crude extracts of Justicia carnea leaves and stems that used to treat SCD in Nigeria. Methods: The 70 \% ethanol crude extracts of the dried, powdered leaves and stems of J. carnea were prepared by maceration. Reversal and inhibition activity of the plant materials were evaluated by using sodium-metabisulphite-sickled HB SS blood cells from two patients not in crisis. The membrane stabilization assays on rats{\textquoteright} red blood cells (RBCs) and human sickled RBCs and antioxidant assays were determined following standard methods. Results were presented as Mean {\textpm} SEM. Data analysis and graph plotting were carried out using GraphPad Prism{\textregistered} version 8.01. Results: The antioxidant assays indicated that J. carnea leaves (JCL) had stronger DPPH activity (IC$_{5}$$_{0}$ = 245.031 {\textpm} 0.228 μg/mL). While, the stems (JCS) exhibited higher NO scavenging (84.123 {\textpm} 0.497 μg/mL). The highest reversal and inhibition percentages observed at 60, 90, and 120-minute time points. At 60th minutes reading, JCL 20 mg/mL (78.9{\textpm}0.13\%) demonstrated the highest reversal activity, while JCL 10 mg/mL (66.9{\textpm}0.82 \%) revealed the strongest inhibition effect. The extracts showed dose-dependent membrane stabilization activity. Conclusions: The extracts demonstrated remarkable antioxidant, anti-sickling, and membrane stabilizing activities. The use of this plant could be a promising natural therapy for SCD.

}, keywords = {erythrocytes, Hemoglobin, Medicinal plants, Sickle Cell Disease}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2026.18.110}, author = {Hareg Zewdu Alehegn and Abiodun A. Adeyemi and Abayomi Mayowa Ajayi and Foluke A. Fasola} }