Revisão das Propriedades Medicinais de Cajanus cajanna Doença Falciforme / Review of Medicinal Cajanus cajan of properties in Sickle Cell Disease

RESUMO Este artigo descreve a ocorrência, características botânicas, fitoquímicas e a composição nutricional do feijão guandu [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], e sua relação no processo de inibição da falcização na doença falciforme, um distúrbio genético que acomete as hemácias, gerando hemólise e anemia crônica. Dois constituintes químicos estariam mais relacionados aos efeitos inibitórios na falcização de células falciformes: L-fenilalanina e o ácido p-hidroxibenzóico. Estudos químico-biológicos detalhados com o feijão guandu no Brasil poderão esclarecer melhor os mecanismos pelos quais ocorre a inibição da falcização das hemácias e a diminuição do estresse oxidativo, ajudando no tratamento de pessoas com DF.

ABSTRACT This article describes the occurrence, botanical characteristics, phytochemical and nutritional composition of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], and their relationship in the process inhibition of sickling in sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, causing hemolysis and chronic anemia. Two chemical components would be related to the inhibitory effect on sickling of sickle cells: the L-phenylalanine and the p- hydroxybenzoic acid. In Brazil, detailed studies with pigeonpea chemical-biological may clarify the mechanisms by which the inhibition of sickling of red blood cells occurs, reducing oxidative stress and thus helping treating people affected by this disease.

Anti-oxidative protection against iron overload-induced liver damage in mice by Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. leaf extract.

In view of the contribution of iron deposition in the oxidative pathologic process of liver disease, the potential of 70% methanolic extract of C. cajan leaf (CLME) towards antioxidative protection against iron-overload-induced liver damage in mice has been investigated. DPPH radical scavenging and protection of Fenton reaction induced DNA damage was conducted in vitro. Post oral administration of CLME to iron overloaded mice, the levels of antioxidant and serum enzymes, hepatic iron, serum ferritin, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl and hydroxyproline contents were measured, in comparison to deferasirox treated mice. Oral treatment of the plant extract effectively lowered the elevated levels of liver iron, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and hydroxyproline. There was notable increment in the dropped levels of hepatic antioxidants. The dosage of the plant extract not only made the levels of serum enzymes approach normal value, but also counteracted the overwhelmed serum ferritin level. The in vitro studies indicated potential antioxidant activity of CLME. The histopathological observations also substantiated the ameliorative function of the plant extract. Accordingly, it is suggested that Cajanus cajan leaf can be a useful herbal remedy to suppress oxidative damage caused by iron overload.

Cr (VI) and Fe (III) removal using Cajanus cajan husk.

Husk of tur dal (Cajanus cajan) was investigated as a new biosorbent for the removal of Fe (III) and Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. Parameters like agitation time, adsorbent dosage and pH were studied at different initial Fe (III) and Cr (VI) concentrations. The biosorptive capacity of the Tur dal husk was dependent on the pH of the chromium and iron solution, with pH 2 and 2.5 respectively being optimal. The adsorption data fit well with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The practical limiting adsorption capacity (qmax) calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 96.05 mg of Cr(VI)/ g of the biosorbent at an initial pH of 2.0 and 66.65 mg/g at pH 2.5. The infrared spectra of the biomass revealed that hydroxyl, carboxyl and amide bonds are involved in the uptake of Cr (VI) and Fe (III) ions. Characterisation of tur dal husk has revealed that it is an excellent material for treating wastewaters containing low concentration of metal ions.