Underutilized legumes, Cajanus cajan and Glycine max may bring about antisickling effect in sickle cell disease by modulation of redox homeostasis in sickled erythrocytes and alteration of its functional chemistry.

The antisickling and anti-oxidative effect of the Cajanus cajan, Glycine max, and their blends were investigated in sickled erythrocytes. The powdered samples were analyzed for their nutritional and anti-nutritional constituents. Their aqueous extracts were analyzed for in vitro antioxidant activities. The extracts were incubated with sickled erythrocytes at 37°C for 6 hours and the antisickling effect examined via microscopic analysis. The blend was the most active and its incubated cells were subjected to anti-oxidative analysis which covers for GSH, SOD, catalase, and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Chemical functional group of the treated cells was analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy. The in silico binding of the predominant amino acid to hemoglobin was also investigated. An increased concentration of leucine was observed in the blend compared to that of C. cajan and G. max, respectively. Vitamins C, B6, and B9 were the only vitamins observed in the blend. Phytate and oxalate were present in all samples. All extracts displayed significant (p < .05) scavenging activities. Treatment with the blend exacerbated SOD and catalase activities as well as the GSH level, while suppressing LPO. FTIR analysis of the treated cells showed the presence of hydrophobic functional groups. Leucine was the predominant amino acid, and it showed a potent molecular interaction with HIS-87 residue of the alpha chain of 1HCO. C. cajan and G. max blend inhibited sickling activities of sickle erythrocytes, while concomitantly exacerbating their endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity and modification of the functional chemistry. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cajanus cajan and Glycine max are among the common underutilized legumes in Nigeria. Aside their nutritional properties, these legumes have been used from time immemorial for the treatment and management of various ailments. Sickle cell anemia is a class of hemoglobinopathy common in Sub-Saharan Africa. There have been concerns about its treatment owing to the increasing scourge of the disease coupled to the financial burden of its management. This study reports the ability of the potentials of the legumes to prevent sickling activities of sickled erythrocytes and the possible biochemical mechanism involved.