<clinical_study>
  <!-- This xml conforms to an XML Schema at:
    https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/html/images/info/public.xsd -->
  <required_header>
    <download_date>ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on September 20, 2023</download_date>
    <link_text>Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.</link_text>
    <url>https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01703104</url>
  </required_header>
  <id_info>
    <org_study_id>LASUTH/SCD02/2012</org_study_id>
    <nct_id>NCT01703104</nct_id>
  </id_info>
  <brief_title>The Efficacy of Jobelyn (Sorghum Bicolor Extract)in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia</brief_title>
  <official_title>The Effect of Jobelyn ( Extract of Sorghum Bicolor) on the Haematological Parameters of Patients With Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease.</official_title>
  <sponsors>
    <lead_sponsor>
      <agency>Lagos State University</agency>
      <agency_class>Other</agency_class>
    </lead_sponsor>
  </sponsors>
  <source>Lagos State University</source>
  <oversight_info>
    <has_dmc>Yes</has_dmc>
  </oversight_info>
  <brief_summary>
    <textblock>
      The primary objective is to determine if there is a significant increase in the haematocrit&#xD;
      value of patients on Jobelyn and standard therapy compared to those on standard therapy&#xD;
      alone.&#xD;
    </textblock>
  </brief_summary>
  <detailed_description>
    <textblock>
      Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited haemoglobinopathy caused by a point missense mutation&#xD;
      (GAG to GTG) in the beta globin gene that resulted in the substitution of an acidic amino&#xD;
      acid ( glutamic acid) with a neutral and hydrophobic amino acid (valine) in the codon 6 of&#xD;
      the beta globin chain. This genetic defect has a prevalence of 20% to 40% in Sub Saharan&#xD;
      Africa, 7.8% in African Americans and to a lesser extent in the Middle East, Mediterranean&#xD;
      and India.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The higher frequency in the sub Saharan Africa is thought to be due to the selective&#xD;
      advantage the gene confers on the traits (heterozygotes state) in malaria zone. Nigeria is&#xD;
      the most populous country in this region with about 24% frequency of the mutant gene. The&#xD;
      prevalence of sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria is about 20 per 1000 life births. This implies&#xD;
      that Nigeria may have the highest burden of the disease in the world.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The severity of sickle cell disease varies. The disease is more severe in patients with&#xD;
      haemoglobin SS or haemoglobin S beta thalassaemia than in those with haemoglobin S beta+&#xD;
      thalassaemia or haemoglobin SC disease. The Arab - Indian haplotype produces a less severe&#xD;
      disease than the African haplotype. Similarly, the coinheritance of one or two, alpha globin&#xD;
      chain deletions or high fetal haemoglobin level in hereditary persistence of fetal&#xD;
      haemoglobin are associated with mild disease, The severity is therefore higher in the Sub&#xD;
      Saharan African sub region. However, the severity of the disease varies widely for&#xD;
      unexplained reasons among patients with haemoglobin SS in this region.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The beta S globin chain binds at the valine site with complementary hydrophobic effects on&#xD;
      other beta globin chain. This triggers the formation of polymers of haemoglobin. The rate of&#xD;
      polymerization is increased with increase in intracellular deoxy-haemoglobin. Factors that&#xD;
      promote polymerisation are dehydration, acidosis, increase in the level of 2,3&#xD;
      diphosphoglycerate which may occur in infections. On the other hand, the association of&#xD;
      haemoglobin 5 with other haemoglobin that have higher oxygen affinity-like haemoglobin F or&#xD;
      haemoglobin A reduce the rate of polymerisation.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The haemoglobin polymer forms a firm gel that damages the cellular membrane. The damaged&#xD;
      membrane causes movement of potassium and water out of the cell thus leading to dehydration&#xD;
      and more polymer formation. This damage also causes the negatively charged phosphatidylserine&#xD;
      to move to the membrane surface and the red cell becomes deformed in shape, more rigid and&#xD;
      more adherent to the vascular endothelium. The result of these are easy fragmentation of the&#xD;
      membrane and extra vascular haemolysis, complement mediated lysis of the cell and&#xD;
      intravascular haemolysis, shortened red cell survival to 4 to 25 days, trapping of rigid&#xD;
      irreversible sickle cells in the post capillary venules which is promoted by leukocytosis,&#xD;
      platelet activation and inflammatory cytokines.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The release of intravascular haemoglobin mobs up nitric acid which has a vasodilatation&#xD;
      effect. This aggravates the already deficient tissue perfusion. A vicious circle is formed&#xD;
      that eventually leads to tissue hypoxia, sequestration of blood in organs with sinuses&#xD;
      (spleen, liver, lungs and the penis). There is also a chronic haemolytic anaemia with&#xD;
      insufficient increase in the production of erythropoietin due to the fact that the beta S&#xD;
      globin chain has a lower affinity for oxygen and therefore releases oxygen easily to the&#xD;
      tissue. To further reduce erythropoiesis is the increase of inflammatory cytokines that&#xD;
      inhibit haemopoiesis i.e interleukin 1 and tumor necrotic factor. On the other hand an&#xD;
      increase in the red cell mass tends to increase vascular occlusion and ischemic crises. The&#xD;
      ideal stable haematocrit for sickle cell disease is therefore between 24% and 28%. At this&#xD;
      range of haematocrit, tissue hypoxia is minimized and painful crises are easier to control.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Factors that precipitate crises are dehydration, infection, extreme heat or cold and physical&#xD;
      or emotional stress. These factors are prevalent in our environment. Early detection and&#xD;
      preventive measures are very important in the management of sickle cell disease. To enhance&#xD;
      red cell production, patients are offered regular folic acid. To prevent malaria,&#xD;
      prophylactic paludrine is given and infection is treated with appropriate antibiotic. Among&#xD;
      the anti sickling drugs, hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, has been&#xD;
      shown to decrease the rate of painful crises probably by reducing adhesion to the&#xD;
      endothelium, increasing the proportion of fetal haemoglobin within the cell and reduction in&#xD;
      the white blood cells and platelets. Other drugs on trial are butyrate compounds and&#xD;
      analogues of azacytidine.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Other modalities are blood transfusion, exchange blood transfusion, stem cell transplant and&#xD;
      the possibility of gene therapy is realistic. These modalities are not without their side&#xD;
      effects and high costs. A new drug added to the routine drugs might minimize tissue. Hypoxia,&#xD;
      rate of sickling and haemolysis if the haematocrit is within the steady state range, white&#xD;
      cells count are reduced and inflammatory cytokines are reduced.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Available reports suggest that sickle cell erythrocytes are susceptible, to endogenous free&#xD;
      radical mediated oxidative damage as indicated by marked increase in lipid peroxidation and&#xD;
      superoxide dismutase level in haemoglobin SS patient. However there remain discrepancies in&#xD;
      the status of anti oxidant enzymes and vitamins in the patients.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Sorghum bicolor, a grain long used in Africa for its high nutritional value also exhibits&#xD;
      strong antioxidant properties and antiinflammatory effects. The traditional preparation of&#xD;
      Sorghum bicolor has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) OF 3,123 micro mole TE/g.&#xD;
      This is much higher than other botanical preparations. Complementing the antioxidant&#xD;
      properties, sorghum bicolor also exhibits anti inflammatory effects and demonstrated&#xD;
      selective COX-2 inhibition, providing effective reduction in inflammation without residual&#xD;
      side effects.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Sorghum bicolor extract has been shown to increase the haematocrit and haemoglobin level and&#xD;
      reduce the white cell count in trypanosome brucei brucei induced anaemia in experimental&#xD;
      rabbits. These effects were conclusive within 49 days of experimentation. Animals sacrificed&#xD;
      after the administration of lethal dose Jobelyn were shown to have congestion of the liver,&#xD;
      kidneys and lungs. This might be as a result of direct effect on these organs or a sign of&#xD;
      cardiotoxicity. However there is a wide therapeutic range.&#xD;
&#xD;
      Jobelyn is the proprietary name for the product intended to treat sickle cell disease and it&#xD;
      is currently marketed as a nutritional supplement. Jobelyn is marketed in 250mg capsules of&#xD;
      Sorghum bicolor leaf extract. The product is widely marketed in many countries including&#xD;
      Nigeria. Many of our sickle cell patients have been using it regularly for a long time&#xD;
      without any report of adverse effect.&#xD;
&#xD;
      The sorghum bicolor extract is expected to increase the haematocrit of' sickle cell anaemia&#xD;
      within a short time, to reduce leukocytosis during sickling and therefore reduce vascular&#xD;
      occlusion and improve tissue perfusion. The selective effect on COX 2 and the moderation of&#xD;
      inflammatory cytokines is expected to reduce painful crises and inhibition of haemopoiesis.&#xD;
    </textblock>
  </detailed_description>
  <overall_status>Completed</overall_status>
  <start_date>January 2012</start_date>
  <completion_date type="Actual">August 2012</completion_date>
  <primary_completion_date type="Actual">March 2012</primary_completion_date>
  <phase>Phase 1/Phase 2</phase>
  <study_type>Interventional</study_type>
  <has_expanded_access>No</has_expanded_access>
  <study_design_info>
    <allocation>Randomized</allocation>
    <intervention_model>Crossover Assignment</intervention_model>
    <primary_purpose>Treatment</primary_purpose>
    <masking>Single (Care Provider)</masking>
  </study_design_info>
  <primary_outcome>
    <measure>Number of Participants with Adverse Events</measure>
    <time_frame>12 weeks</time_frame>
    <description>The number of participants who reported with Adverse events for the 12-week duration of the study</description>
  </primary_outcome>
  <secondary_outcome>
    <measure>number of blood transfusions during the 12-week trial period</measure>
    <time_frame>12 weeks</time_frame>
    <description>No of blood transfusions carried out during the period as a result of anaemia</description>
  </secondary_outcome>
  <number_of_arms>2</number_of_arms>
  <enrollment type="Actual">150</enrollment>
  <condition>Sickle Cell Anemia</condition>
  <arm_group>
    <arm_group_label>Paludrine + Folic Acid</arm_group_label>
    <arm_group_type>Active Comparator</arm_group_type>
    <description>This arm uses routine drugs, Paludrine + Folic Acid</description>
  </arm_group>
  <arm_group>
    <arm_group_label>Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn</arm_group_label>
    <arm_group_type>Active Comparator</arm_group_type>
    <description>This group uses Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn</description>
  </arm_group>
  <intervention>
    <intervention_type>Drug</intervention_type>
    <intervention_name>Paludrine + Folic Acid</intervention_name>
    <description>This is the combination of routine drugs for treating sickle cell disease</description>
    <arm_group_label>Paludrine + Folic Acid</arm_group_label>
    <other_name>Routine drugs</other_name>
  </intervention>
  <intervention>
    <intervention_type>Dietary Supplement</intervention_type>
    <intervention_name>Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn</intervention_name>
    <description>Combination of routine drugs + Jobelyn</description>
    <arm_group_label>Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn</arm_group_label>
    <other_name>1. Routine Drugs, i.e. Paludirine + Folic Acid</other_name>
    <other_name>2. Sorghum bicolor extract (Jobelyn)</other_name>
  </intervention>
  <eligibility>
    <criteria>
      <textblock>
        Inclusion Criteria:&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Male or female 14 to 45 years of age&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Haemoglobin SS&#xD;
&#xD;
        Exclusion Criteria:&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Patients with chronic inflammatory disease like tuberculosis&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Patients with chronic viral hepatitis or positive for human immunodeficiency virus&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Patients with autoimmune disorders.&#xD;
&#xD;
             . patients with other haemoglobinopathy&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy.&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Patient on drug abuse or alcohol abuse.&#xD;
&#xD;
          -  Patients on treatment for organ failure&#xD;
      </textblock>
    </criteria>
    <gender>All</gender>
    <minimum_age>14 Years</minimum_age>
    <maximum_age>45 Years</maximum_age>
    <healthy_volunteers>No</healthy_volunteers>
  </eligibility>
  <overall_official>
    <last_name>A O Dosunmu, M.D.</last_name>
    <role>Principal Investigator</role>
    <affiliation>Lagos State University</affiliation>
  </overall_official>
  <location>
    <facility>
      <name>Lagos State University Teaching Hospital</name>
      <address>
        <city>Ikeja</city>
        <state>Lagos</state>
        <zip>100001</zip>
        <country>Nigeria</country>
      </address>
    </facility>
  </location>
  <location_countries>
    <country>Nigeria</country>
  </location_countries>
  <reference>
    <citation>Brohan M, Jerkovic V, Collin S. Potentiality of red sorghum for producing stilbenoid-enriched beers with high antioxidant activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Apr 27;59(8):4088-94. doi: 10.1021/jf1047755. Epub 2011 Mar 7.</citation>
    <PMID>21381750</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Geera B, Ojwang LO, Awika JM. New highly stable dimeric 3-deoxyanthocyanidin pigments from sorghum bicolor leaf sheath. J Food Sci. 2012 May;77(5):C566-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02668.x. Epub 2012 Apr 10.</citation>
    <PMID>22489620</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Kayode AP, Nout MJ, Linnemann AR, Hounhouigan JD, Berghofer E, Siebenhandl-Ehn S. Uncommonly high levels of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity in the leaf sheaths of dye sorghum. J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Feb 23;59(4):1178-84. doi: 10.1021/jf103963t. Epub 2011 Jan 25.</citation>
    <PMID>21322653</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Yang L, Browning JD, Awika JM. Sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins possess strong phase II enzyme inducer activity and cancer cell growth inhibition properties. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Mar 11;57(5):1797-804. doi: 10.1021/jf8035066.</citation>
    <PMID>19256554</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Shih CH, Siu SO, Ng R, Wong E, Chiu LC, Chu IK, Lo C. Quantitative analysis of anticancer 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in infected sorghum seedlings. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jan 24;55(2):254-9. doi: 10.1021/jf062516t.</citation>
    <PMID>17227050</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Hunt DM, Emerson SU, Wagner RR. RNA- temperature-sensitive mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus: L-protein thermosensitivity accounts for transcriptase restriction of group I mutants. J Virol. 1976 May;18(2):596-603. doi: 10.1128/JVI.18.2.596-603.1976.</citation>
    <PMID>178900</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Burdette A, Garner PL, Mayer EP, Hargrove JL, Hartle DK, Greenspan P. Anti-inflammatory activity of select sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) brans. J Med Food. 2010 Aug;13(4):879-87. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0147.</citation>
    <PMID>20673059</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Park JH, Darvin P, Lim EJ, Joung YH, Hong DY, Park EU, Park SH, Choi SK, Moon ES, Cho BW, Park KD, Lee HK, Kim MJ, Park DS, Chung IM, Yang YM. Hwanggeumchal sorghum induces cell cycle arrest, and suppresses tumor growth and metastasis through Jak2/STAT pathways in breast cancer xenografts. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e40531. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040531. Epub 2012 Jul 6.</citation>
    <PMID>22792362</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Wu L, Huang Z, Qin P, Yao Y, Meng X, Zou J, Zhu K, Ren G. Chemical characterization of a procyanidin-rich extract from sorghum bran and its effect on oxidative stress and tumor inhibition in vivo. J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Aug 24;59(16):8609-15. doi: 10.1021/jf2015528. Epub 2011 Jul 29.</citation>
    <PMID>21780844</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Awika JM, McDonough CM, Rooney LW. Decorticating sorghum to concentrate healthy phytochemicals. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Aug 10;53(16):6230-4. doi: 10.1021/jf0510384.</citation>
    <PMID>16076098</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Gee L, Abbott J, Conway SP, Etherington C, Webb AK. Validation of the SF-36 for the assessment of quality of life in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros. 2002 Sep;1(3):137-45. doi: 10.1016/s1569-1993(02)00079-6.</citation>
    <PMID>15463820</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Okochi,V.I.,Okpuzor J, Okubena M.O., Awoyemi A.K. 2003 . The Influence of African Herbal Formula on the haematological parameters of trypanosome infected rats. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2 (9), 312-316.</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Erah P,O., Asonye C.C. Okhamafe A.O. 2003. Response of trypanosome brucei brucei induced anaemiato a commercialherbal preparation. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2,9, 307-311.</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Ogwumike OO. Hemopoietic effect of aqueous extract of the leaf sheath of Sorghum bicolor in albino rats. African Journal of Biomedical. Research. (2002): Vol 5; 69 - 71</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Oladiji AT, Jacob TO, Yakubu MT. Anti-anaemic potentials of aqueous extract of Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench stem bark in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May 22;111(3):651-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.013. Epub 2007 Jan 18.</citation>
    <PMID>17306481</PMID>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Akande IS, Oseni AA, Biobaku OA. Effects of aqueous extract of Sorghum bicolor on hepatic, histological and haematological indices in rats. Journal of Cell and Animal Biology 4(9), 137-142, 2010.</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Nwinyi FC, Kwanashie HO. Evaluation of aqueous methanolic extract of Sorghum bicolor leaf base for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8 (18), 4642-4649, 2009.</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>Eniojukan JF, Bolajoko AA. Toxicological Profiles of Commercial Herbal Preperation, Jobelyn. International Journal of Health Research, 2(4), 369-374, 2009.</citation>
  </reference>
  <reference>
    <citation>USDA Database for the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2010.</citation>
  </reference>
  <verification_date>October 2012</verification_date>
  <study_first_submitted>October 3, 2012</study_first_submitted>
  <study_first_submitted_qc>October 5, 2012</study_first_submitted_qc>
  <study_first_posted type="Estimate">October 10, 2012</study_first_posted>
  <last_update_submitted>October 5, 2012</last_update_submitted>
  <last_update_submitted_qc>October 5, 2012</last_update_submitted_qc>
  <last_update_posted type="Estimate">October 10, 2012</last_update_posted>
  <responsible_party>
    <responsible_party_type>Principal Investigator</responsible_party_type>
    <investigator_affiliation>Lagos State University</investigator_affiliation>
    <investigator_full_name>Dr. A. O. Dosunmu</investigator_full_name>
    <investigator_title>CONSULTANT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HAEMATOLOGY &amp; BLOOD TRANSFUSION, LASUTH</investigator_title>
  </responsible_party>
  <keyword>Sorghum bicolor</keyword>
  <keyword>sickle cell anaemia</keyword>
  <keyword>haematological parameters</keyword>
  <condition_browse>
    <!-- CAUTION:  The following MeSH terms are assigned with an imperfect algorithm            -->
    <mesh_term>Anemia</mesh_term>
    <mesh_term>Anemia, Sickle Cell</mesh_term>
  </condition_browse>
  <intervention_browse>
    <!-- CAUTION:  The following MeSH terms are assigned with an imperfect algorithm            -->
    <mesh_term>Folic Acid</mesh_term>
    <mesh_term>Vitamin B Complex</mesh_term>
    <mesh_term>Proguanil</mesh_term>
  </intervention_browse>
  <!-- Results have not yet been posted for this study                                          -->
</clinical_study>


download date: ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on September 20, 2023
link text: Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
url: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01703104
org study id: LASUTH/SCD02/2012
nct id: NCT01703104
lead sponsor: 
has dmc: Yes
The primary objective is to determine if there is a significant increase in the haematocrit
      value of patients on Jobelyn and standard therapy compared to those on standard therapy
      alone.
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited haemoglobinopathy caused by a point missense mutation
      (GAG to GTG) in the beta globin gene that resulted in the substitution of an acidic amino
      acid ( glutamic acid) with a neutral and hydrophobic amino acid (valine) in the codon 6 of
      the beta globin chain. This genetic defect has a prevalence of 20% to 40% in Sub Saharan
      Africa, 7.8% in African Americans and to a lesser extent in the Middle East, Mediterranean
      and India.

      The higher frequency in the sub Saharan Africa is thought to be due to the selective
      advantage the gene confers on the traits (heterozygotes state) in malaria zone. Nigeria is
      the most populous country in this region with about 24% frequency of the mutant gene. The
      prevalence of sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria is about 20 per 1000 life births. This implies
      that Nigeria may have the highest burden of the disease in the world.

      The severity of sickle cell disease varies. The disease is more severe in patients with
      haemoglobin SS or haemoglobin S beta thalassaemia than in those with haemoglobin S beta+
      thalassaemia or haemoglobin SC disease. The Arab - Indian haplotype produces a less severe
      disease than the African haplotype. Similarly, the coinheritance of one or two, alpha globin
      chain deletions or high fetal haemoglobin level in hereditary persistence of fetal
      haemoglobin are associated with mild disease, The severity is therefore higher in the Sub
      Saharan African sub region. However, the severity of the disease varies widely for
      unexplained reasons among patients with haemoglobin SS in this region.

      The beta S globin chain binds at the valine site with complementary hydrophobic effects on
      other beta globin chain. This triggers the formation of polymers of haemoglobin. The rate of
      polymerization is increased with increase in intracellular deoxy-haemoglobin. Factors that
      promote polymerisation are dehydration, acidosis, increase in the level of 2,3
      diphosphoglycerate which may occur in infections. On the other hand, the association of
      haemoglobin 5 with other haemoglobin that have higher oxygen affinity-like haemoglobin F or
      haemoglobin A reduce the rate of polymerisation.

      The haemoglobin polymer forms a firm gel that damages the cellular membrane. The damaged
      membrane causes movement of potassium and water out of the cell thus leading to dehydration
      and more polymer formation. This damage also causes the negatively charged phosphatidylserine
      to move to the membrane surface and the red cell becomes deformed in shape, more rigid and
      more adherent to the vascular endothelium. The result of these are easy fragmentation of the
      membrane and extra vascular haemolysis, complement mediated lysis of the cell and
      intravascular haemolysis, shortened red cell survival to 4 to 25 days, trapping of rigid
      irreversible sickle cells in the post capillary venules which is promoted by leukocytosis,
      platelet activation and inflammatory cytokines.

      The release of intravascular haemoglobin mobs up nitric acid which has a vasodilatation
      effect. This aggravates the already deficient tissue perfusion. A vicious circle is formed
      that eventually leads to tissue hypoxia, sequestration of blood in organs with sinuses
      (spleen, liver, lungs and the penis). There is also a chronic haemolytic anaemia with
      insufficient increase in the production of erythropoietin due to the fact that the beta S
      globin chain has a lower affinity for oxygen and therefore releases oxygen easily to the
      tissue. To further reduce erythropoiesis is the increase of inflammatory cytokines that
      inhibit haemopoiesis i.e interleukin 1 and tumor necrotic factor. On the other hand an
      increase in the red cell mass tends to increase vascular occlusion and ischemic crises. The
      ideal stable haematocrit for sickle cell disease is therefore between 24% and 28%. At this
      range of haematocrit, tissue hypoxia is minimized and painful crises are easier to control.

      Factors that precipitate crises are dehydration, infection, extreme heat or cold and physical
      or emotional stress. These factors are prevalent in our environment. Early detection and
      preventive measures are very important in the management of sickle cell disease. To enhance
      red cell production, patients are offered regular folic acid. To prevent malaria,
      prophylactic paludrine is given and infection is treated with appropriate antibiotic. Among
      the anti sickling drugs, hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, has been
      shown to decrease the rate of painful crises probably by reducing adhesion to the
      endothelium, increasing the proportion of fetal haemoglobin within the cell and reduction in
      the white blood cells and platelets. Other drugs on trial are butyrate compounds and
      analogues of azacytidine.

      Other modalities are blood transfusion, exchange blood transfusion, stem cell transplant and
      the possibility of gene therapy is realistic. These modalities are not without their side
      effects and high costs. A new drug added to the routine drugs might minimize tissue. Hypoxia,
      rate of sickling and haemolysis if the haematocrit is within the steady state range, white
      cells count are reduced and inflammatory cytokines are reduced.

      Available reports suggest that sickle cell erythrocytes are susceptible, to endogenous free
      radical mediated oxidative damage as indicated by marked increase in lipid peroxidation and
      superoxide dismutase level in haemoglobin SS patient. However there remain discrepancies in
      the status of anti oxidant enzymes and vitamins in the patients.

      Sorghum bicolor, a grain long used in Africa for its high nutritional value also exhibits
      strong antioxidant properties and antiinflammatory effects. The traditional preparation of
      Sorghum bicolor has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) OF 3,123 micro mole TE/g.
      This is much higher than other botanical preparations. Complementing the antioxidant
      properties, sorghum bicolor also exhibits anti inflammatory effects and demonstrated
      selective COX-2 inhibition, providing effective reduction in inflammation without residual
      side effects.

      Sorghum bicolor extract has been shown to increase the haematocrit and haemoglobin level and
      reduce the white cell count in trypanosome brucei brucei induced anaemia in experimental
      rabbits. These effects were conclusive within 49 days of experimentation. Animals sacrificed
      after the administration of lethal dose Jobelyn were shown to have congestion of the liver,
      kidneys and lungs. This might be as a result of direct effect on these organs or a sign of
      cardiotoxicity. However there is a wide therapeutic range.

      Jobelyn is the proprietary name for the product intended to treat sickle cell disease and it
      is currently marketed as a nutritional supplement. Jobelyn is marketed in 250mg capsules of
      Sorghum bicolor leaf extract. The product is widely marketed in many countries including
      Nigeria. Many of our sickle cell patients have been using it regularly for a long time
      without any report of adverse effect.

      The sorghum bicolor extract is expected to increase the haematocrit of' sickle cell anaemia
      within a short time, to reduce leukocytosis during sickling and therefore reduce vascular
      occlusion and improve tissue perfusion. The selective effect on COX 2 and the moderation of
      inflammatory cytokines is expected to reduce painful crises and inhibition of haemopoiesis.
allocation: Randomized
intervention model: Crossover Assignment
primary purpose: Treatment
masking: Single (Care Provider)
measure: Number of Participants with Adverse Events
time frame: 12 weeks
description: The number of participants who reported with Adverse events for the 12-week duration of the study
measure: number of blood transfusions during the 12-week trial period
time frame: 12 weeks
description: No of blood transfusions carried out during the period as a result of anaemia
arm group label: Paludrine + Folic Acid
arm group type: Active Comparator
description: This arm uses routine drugs, Paludrine + Folic Acid
arm group label: Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn
arm group type: Active Comparator
description: This group uses Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn
intervention type: Drug
intervention name: Paludrine + Folic Acid
description: This is the combination of routine drugs for treating sickle cell disease
arm group label: Paludrine + Folic Acid
other name: Routine drugs
intervention type: Dietary Supplement
intervention name: Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn
description: Combination of routine drugs + Jobelyn
arm group label: Paludrine + Folic Acid + Jobelyn
other name: 1. Routine Drugs, i.e. Paludirine + Folic Acid
other name: 2. Sorghum bicolor extract (Jobelyn)
criteria: 
gender: All
minimum age: 14 Years
maximum age: 45 Years
healthy volunteers: No
last name: A O Dosunmu, M.D.
role: Principal Investigator
affiliation: Lagos State University
facility: 
country: Nigeria
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responsible party type: Principal Investigator
investigator affiliation: Lagos State University
investigator full name: Dr. A. O. Dosunmu
investigator title: CONSULTANT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HAEMATOLOGY & BLOOD TRANSFUSION, LASUTH
mesh term: Anemia
mesh term: Anemia, Sickle Cell
mesh term: Folic Acid
mesh term: Vitamin B Complex
mesh term: Proguanil