Abstract

A REVIEW LITERATURE ON SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Akanksha Patel*

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Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a common and life-threatening blood disorder that affects millions of people in the world. Abnormal sickle-shaped RBCs disrupt the flow of blood in small blood vessels, and this Vasoocclusion leads to ischaemia and inflammation, acute painful sicklecell crisis, parenchymal injury and chronic organ damage. The main physiological complicacy is due to the polymerization of sickle haemoglobin (HbS), sickling process inside the red blood cell (RBC) of these patients during deoxygenating state. The change of RBC from spherical to sickle shape is due to the polymerization of mutant haemoglobin (HbS) inside the RBC and membrane distortion during anoxic condition. The mechanism and the process of sickling are very complex and multifactor in nature. Currently available treatments are limited like blood transfusions some therapies and medications, although stem cell transplantation might be a potentially curative therapy, gene therapy and gene editing. Recent advances like systematic universal screening for stroke risk, improved management and diagnostic devices. Other possibilities have to investigated, like traditional medication in the form of medicinal plants to control the symptoms of the disease. The plants which all have anti-sickling properties are- Cajanus cajan, Carica papaya, Piper guineense, aloe vera, allium sepa, Moringa oleifera and Vinga unguiculata seem to be the more effective species for preventive treatment.

Keywords: Anaemia- sickle cell, sickle cell genetics, complications, screening program, recent advance treatment methodology.