1 Nova Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences Vol 2(2), Feb 2014: 1-14 Nova Explore Publications Nova Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences Vol 2(2), Feb 2014: 1-14 PII: S2292793X1400008-2 www.novaexplore.com Research Article Ethno-Pharmacological Survey, In Vitro Anti-Sickling and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Carapa Procera DC. Stem Bark (Meliaceae) Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua 1 ⃰ , Tshitenge T. Bishola 1 , Tshimankinda P. Mpiana 2 , Virima Mudogo 2 , Sha- Tshibey D. Tshibangu 2 , Kabamba N. Ngombe 3 , Elumba G. Ekutsu 1 , Zoawe B. Gbolo 1 , Ngandu O. Kabena 1 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 190 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 190 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo *Corresponding Author: Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kinshasa, P.O. BOX 190 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo, E-mail: jpngbolua@unikin.ac.cd; Tel.: +243 81 68 79 527 Received 12 Jan 2014; Revised 22 Jan 2014; Accepted 6 Feb 2014 Abstract Drepanocytosis is a genetic and neglected disease, endemic in negroids population. One of the main characteristics of this pathology is the production of a large amount of free radicals, leading to a severe oxidative stress and the consumption of NO by free oxygen radicals, and/or by cell-free plasma heme. The consequences of this defect are hemolytic anemia and tissue damage brought about by the blockage of blood vessels by the sickled cells. The present study evaluated the antisickling and radical scavenging activities of extracts from Carapa procera stem bark using Emmel’s test and the DPPH assay. Carapa procera was selected through an ethno-pharmacological. The results showed that methanolic, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane soluble fractions, anthocyanins and organic acids exhibited a significant antisickling as revealed by the observed normal biconcave form of sickle erythrocyte (normalization rate > 70%) in hypoxic conditions. Methanolic extract exhibited a good radical scavenging activity (ED 50 = 1.698 ± 0.079 μg/mL). The chemical screening performed on the plant revealed the presence of anthocyanins and organic acids which were then extracted. Total anthocyanins and organic acids revealed interesting antisickling and antioxidant properties that could justify the integration of Carapa procera in Congolese pharmacopoeia for the management of sickle cell disease. Bioactive extracts from this