RESUMO
African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) is a multipurpose leguminous tree species of nutritional and pharmacological value. The plant is widely distributed in Africa and across Nigeria's major agroecological areas (AEAs). Amidst declining cultivation and production, P. biglobosa is genetically threatened in its natural habitats due to overexploitation, deforestation, wildfires and lack of improved tree management practices. Consequently, concerted research efforts directed towards germplasm collection and assessment of genetic relationships are imperative for conserving its genetic resources, sustainable management and selecting promising landraces for breeding programmes. The dataset presents rbcL intraspecific genetic diversity and population structure of 62 P. biglobosa landraces in Nigeria. A relatively high level of diversity and a low degree of nucleotide variability was observed among the landraces. Relatively high values of 642 total allele sites, 601 polymorphic sites, 504 parsimony information sites, 883 total number mutations, 9 haplotypes and 0.55 gene diversity were recorded for the sequence dataset. Low values of 0.35 nucleotide diversity and 5 InDels events were also recorded for the dataset. The gene flow in this dataset demonstrated an extensive exchange of genes between the three populations of P. biglobosa, which influenced the level of genetic differentiation (Gst) between the populations. Significantly low Gst (-0.01) was recorded between the Guinea and Sudan savannah populations, a moderate value (0.03) was recorded between the Sudan savannah and Rainforest populations and a higher Gst value (0.05) was recorded between the Guinea and Rainforest populations. The dataset highlights potential evolutionary dynamics that might influence variations relevant to the breeding and conservation of P. biglobosa in Nigeria and across its range in West and Central Africa.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease caused by an individual inheriting an allele for sickle cell hemoglobin from both parents and is associated with unusually large numbers of immature blood cells, containing many long, thin, crescent-shaped erythrocytes. It is a disease prevalent throughout many populations. The use of medicinal plants and nutrition in managing SCD is gaining increasing attention. METHODS: The antisickling effects of Solenostemon monostachyus (SolMon), Carica papaya seed oil (Cari-oil) and Ipomoea involucrata (Ipocrata) in male (HbSSM) and female (HbSSF) human sickle cell blood was examined in vitro and compared with controls, or cells treated with glutathione or an antisickling plant (Vernonia amygdalina; VerMyg). RESULTS: Levels of sickle blood cells were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all the plant-extract treated SCD patients' blood compared with that of untreated SCD patients. RBCs in SolMon, Ipocrata, and Cari-oil treated samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg-treated samples. The Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ratio was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all plant extract-treated HbSSM samples compared with controls. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by SolMon treatment in HbSSF compared with VerMyg. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition exhibited by SolMon was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with that of VerMyg in HbSSF blood. Sickle cell polymerization inhibition in SolMon and Ipocrata were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with VerMyg in HbSSM blood. All plant extracts significantly reduced (P < 0.05) lactate dehydrogenase activity in both HbSSM and HbSSF-treated blood. Catalase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in HbSSF blood treated with Ipocrata compared with glutathione. Cari-oil treated HbSSM and HbSSF blood had significantly increased (P < 0.05) peroxidase activity compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Methanolic extracts from S. monostachyus, C. papaya seed oil and I. involucrata exhibited particular antisickling properties coupled with the potential to reduce stress in sickle cell patients. Each plant individually or in combination may be useful for the management of sickle cell disease.