HENNA (Lawsonia inermis) A MEDICINAL HERB EFFECTIVE IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle cell anemia is a common disease in Oman country. In this disease, sickle-shaped cells are formed. These cells interrupt blood vessels and cause a reduction in oxygen transportation. It was founded that henna (Lawsonia inermis) can prohibit the formation of sickle cells. The Lawsone (2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone) is the constituents of henna which is responsible for the anti-sickling activity, by increasing the oxygen affinity of red blood cells. Hena has the anti-sickling activity which is proved by incubating aqueous and methanolic henna extracts with sickle cell disease patient's whole blood. Then for reduction to oxygen tension 2%, sodium bisulphite was added. Therefore, the percentage of sickled cells to normal red blood cells was observed at 30 minutes intervals. Henna proved a delay in the sickling process in 84% of the tested samples. Both extracts(aqueous and methanolic henna) can delay sickling for about an hour.