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Original Papers:
A. O. Akinsulie, E. O. Temiye, A. S. Akanmu, F. E. A. Lesi, and C. O. Whyte
Clinical Evaluation of Extract of Cajanus cajan (Ciklavit®) in Sickle Cell Anaemia
J Trop Pediatr 2005; 51: 200-205 [Abstract] [PDF]
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[Read eLetter] Extract of Cajanus Cajan for reducing painful crises in Sickle cell Anaemia
Ayokunle . T. Abegunde   (18 August 2005)

Extract of Cajanus Cajan for reducing painful crises in Sickle cell Anaemia 18 August 2005
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Ayokunle . T. Abegunde,
Physician
SE28 8SA

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Re: Extract of Cajanus Cajan for reducing painful crises in Sickle cell Anaemia

Dear Sir,

Akinsulie et al (May 25 epub)(1)reported a randomized single-blind placebo controlled study which showed that the extract of Cajanus Cajan (Ciklavit) reduced the frequency of painful crises and possibly ameliorated the adverse effects of SCA on the Liver in children aged 1-15years.

The results of this study are encouraging when viewed in the light of increasing concern about the benefit of new therapies like Hydroxyurea in an African setting where limited resources make widespread use, monitoring of side effects, and toxicities virtually impossible. Considerable attention has thus been paid, particularly in Africa, to naturally occurring anti-sickling agents which offer the potential of being relatively safer, easily administered and potentially less costly than Hydroxyurea. (2,3)

The encouraging results of this study need to be balanced by concerns over uncertainties of the effect of this product with long term use and the fact that the results of this study have not been confirmed by multicentre studies. The authors rightly stress the need to determine the mechanism of action of this extract, and further clinical studies with this product need to identify the predictive factors for response and non response to therapy among SCA patients because this will influence how to optimize therapy with this product.

Secondly, the effect of the product in pregnancy and on adults with SCA needs to be studied. Thirdly, it is unclear at this stage, what the effect of this product is with long term therapy even though it showed promising results at six months follow-up.

A longer period of follow-up may reveal an uncommon effect or increases in an adverse outcome, and will provide the benefit of observing the effect of the product on the frequency of painful crises over a minimum of 12 months which will cover the entire duration of the rainy season which has been associated with an increase in the frequency of painful crises in individuals with SCA.(4-7) Lastly, future studies will also need to examine how efficacy of this product compares with effectiveness in the general population of SCA patients.

In summary, evidence from this study shows that the extract of Cajanus Cajan appears to be safe, easily administered and efficacious in reducing painful crises and may offer increased benefit to patients with SCA in future. Its effect on ameliorating Liver pathology needs to be further evaluated with studies which use ultrasonography to objectively assess hepatic changes.

A.T. ABEGUNDE.MBBS, DTM&H, MSc 40 Hutchins Road Thamesmead central SE 28 8SA London U.K. Email: abegs@mailcity.com

REFERENCES

1.Akinsulie AO, Temiye EO, Akanmu AS, Lesi FE, Whyte CO.

Clinical Evaluation of Extract of Cajanus cajan (Ciklavit(R)) in Sickle Cell Anaemia.

J Trop Pediatr. 2005 May 25; [Epub ahead of print]

2.Ogoda Onah J, Akubue PI, Okide GB. The kinetics of reversal of pre-sickled erythrocytes by the aqueous extract of Cajanus cajan seeds. Phytother Res. 2002 Dec;16(8):748-50.

3.Wambebe C, Khamofu H, Momoh JA,et al. Double-blind, placebo- controlled,randomised cross-over clinical trial of NIPRISAN in patients with Sickle Cell Disorder. Phytomedicine. 2001 Jul;8(4):252-61.

4.Ibrahim AS. Relationship between meteorological changes and occurrence of painful sickle cell crises in Kuwait.Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1980;74(2):159-61

5.Mohan J, Marshall JM, Reid HL,Thomas PW, Hambleton I, Serjeant GR.Peripheral vascular response to mild indirect cooling in patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and the frequency of painful crisis. Clin Sci (Lond). 1998 Feb;94(2):111-20.

6.Mohanty D, Mukherjee MB. Sicklecell disease in India.

Curr Opin Hematol. 2002 Mar;9(2):117-22. Review.

7.Stevens MC, Padwick M, Serjeant GR. Observations on the natural history of dactylitis in homozygous sickle cell Disease. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1981 May;20(5):311-7.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared