The biochemical effect of Moringa oleifera, Alchornea Cordifolia and their combination leaf methanol extract on lactate dehydrogenase levels in sickle cell disease

The effect of Moringa oleifera, Alchornea cordifolia leaf methanol extracts and their combination on lactate dehydrogenase were investigated to ascertain the ability of both plants and their combination in reducing lactate dehydrogenase in sickle cell blood. The proximate analysis, phytochemical and antioxidant effect of Moringa oleifera and Alchornea cordifolia leaf methanol extract were investigated. Moringa oleifera and Alchornea cordifolia leaves were sourced from a horticulturist in a horticulture garden along Okigwe road in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Their voucher specimens were identified, classified and authenticated by a professional taxonomist at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State. The samples were first dried at room temperature to constant weight, ground into powder and soaked in methanol for 24 hours to obtain the methanol soluble fraction. The samples were concentrated at different concentrations of 1000 µg/ml, 2000 µg/ml and 4000 µg/ml doses for the lactate dehydrogenase activity, and 100, 200 and 400 mg/dose for polymerization inhibition activities. Blood sample were collected from confirmed HbSS patients who attend clinic at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri by personnel of the Hematology Units. Amino acid compositions and phytochemical properties were determined for the samples, using gas chromatography which revealed a preponderance of both essential and non-essential amino acid and phytochemical compounds of which some were antisickling in nature. The different concentrations of Alchornea cordifolia and Moringa oleifera leaf methanol extracts and their combination were able to reduce the lactate dehydrogenase enzymes in the blood significantly when compared to the control and standard. Ciklavit^TM was used as the standard for this study.