(Integrative Medicine) - A new study suggests that the herbal remedy Niprisan® may be safe and effective for the treatment of sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder that causes organ damage and episodes of severe pain. Niprisan® is an herbal medicine developed by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, from indigenous medicinal plants. Eighty-two patients with sickle cell anemia were randomly assigned to receive Niprisan® or placebo for 12 months. Patients taking Niprisan® experienced significantly fewer episodes of severe pain compared to those taking placebo. No serious side effects were observed. Although the researchers acknowledge that further studies are need to confirm their findings, they "make the preliminary conclusion that Niprisan® is a safe and [effective] phytomedicine for the . . . management of patients with sickle cell disorder."

References

Wambebe C, Khamofu H, Momoh JAF, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over clinical trial of NIPRISAN® in patients with sickle cell disorder. Phytomedicine. 2001;8(4):252-261.