Luhata Lokadi Pierre, Namboole Munkombwe Moses and Cheuka Mubanga Peter
Anemia or sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people worldwide, mainly in Africa. Strategies to treat sickle cell anemia still focus on prophylactic measures to alleviate the painful crises and prevent adverse effects. Medicinal plants are commonly used in Africa and Asia in the management of SCD. These herbs contain some phytochemicals which exhibit anti-sickling properties in vitro. Benzoic acid derivatives (BADs) seem to play a key role in the bioactivity observed. A combination of medicinal plants containing BADs, amino acids, antioxidant compounds and some minerals could be the best option in designing a phytomedicine against SCD. Justimovi, a food made using the same rationale, is a promising and potent phytomedicine for people suffering from anemia.