Keywords
anti-sickling activity
anti-inflammatory activity
phytochemical screening
secondary metabolites
histomorphology
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Tetracera poggei is traditionally used in Congolese medicine to manage inflammatory disorders, but scientific evidence regarding its pharmacological properties remains scarce.
Purpose
This study evaluated the microscopic features, phytochemical composition, and in vitro anti-sickling and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and organic leaf extracts of T. poggei.
Methods
Microscopic analysis of powdered leaves was conducted using Steinmetz reagent to identify diagnostic histological structures. Qualitative phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were used to characterize secondary metabolites. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were quantified spectrophotometrically. Anti-sickling activity was assessed using the Emmel test on blood samples collected from 10 homozygous sickle cell (SS) patients. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated via the thermal denaturation inhibition of ovalbumin. Data were analyzed in triplicate and expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Group comparisons were performed using Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with statistical significance set at p < .05.
Results
Microscopic examination revealed sclerenchyma fibers, calcium oxalate crystals in collenchyma, smooth trichomes, amyliferous parenchyma, and starch-rich mesophyll cells. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of polyphenols, tannins, anthocyanins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, quinones, and terpenes. Quantitative analysis yielded 28.13 ± 1.18 mg GAE/g of polyphenols, 0.070 ± 0.001 mg QE/g of flavonoids, and 0.47 ± 0.14 mg QE/g of anthocyanins. In the Emmel test, extracts restored the normal biconcave morphology of erythrocytes under hypoxia. At 25 mg/mL, the organic extract inhibited protein denaturation by 91.60% ± 0.02%, compared to 80.20% ± 0.02% for the aqueous extract and 99.7% ± 0.1% for diclofenac sodium. The difference between the aqueous and organic extracts was statistically significant (p < .05).
Conclusion
Tetracera poggei leaf extracts exhibit notable phytochemical diversity, in vitro anti-sickling activity, and concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory potential. These findings support its traditional use and highlight the need for further in vivo and toxicity evaluations.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muanyishay, C. L., Kanjinga, A. N., Balela, W. B., Luhata, P. L., Luhahi, F. L., Luyindula, S. N., Ngombe, N. K., Mpiana, P. T.