Mineral Composition of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease in the Kwilu Province (Congo-Kinshasa)

The aim of this study was to determine the mineral composition of 10 plants especially Alchornea cordifolia, Alternanthera bettzickiana, Annona senegalensis, Cyttaranthus congolensis, Dissotis brazzae, Justicia secunda, Harungana madagascariensis, Hura crepitans, Hypoxis angustifolia and Vigna unguiculata used in the management of sickle cell disease by traditional practitioners in Kwilu Province. The Plants collection was done at Kwilu province, sample were evaluated through fluorescence spectrometric analysis. These plants were harvested in Kwilu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo The mineral composition analysis was carried out using the fluorescence spectrometric method. This study revealed presence of Twenty-three (23) mineral elements, in each of these plants among others: Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S), Chlorine (Cl) and trace elements such as: Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Vanadium (V), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Bromine (Br), Molybdenum (Mo), Tin (Sn), Iodine (I), Barium (Ba) and Lead (Pb). Iron, Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn) are mineral elements that are related to sickle cell disease. Of all these elements, Potassium and Calcium were in a higher content while Lead, Tin, Bromine, Copper and Nickel are in trace amounts. The correlation coefficients obtained between the mineral elements are significant. The presence of some mineral elements like Fe, Zn, mg and Se can be useful for sickle cell disease patients.