abstract
Sickle cell anemia (SCA), the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD), is a genetic blood disorder. Red blood cells break down prematurely, causing anemia and often blocking blood vessels, leading to chronic pain, organ damage, and increased infection risk. SCD arises from a single-nucleotide mutation in the beta-globin gene, substituting glutamic acid with valine in the beta-globin chain. This review examines treatments evaluated through randomized controlled trials for managing SCD, analyzes the potential of functional foods (dietary components with health benefits) as a complementary strategy, and explores the use of bioactive compounds as functional food ingredients. While randomized trials show promise for certain drugs, functional foods enriched with bioactive compounds also hold therapeutic potential. Further research is needed to confirm clinical efficacy, optimal dosages, and specific effects of these compounds on SCD, potentially offering a cost-effective and accessible approach to managing the disease.
keywords
AGED GARLIC EXTRACT; DOUBLE-BLIND; INTRAVENOUS ACETAMINOPHEN; CHILDREN; PLACEBO; HYDROXYUREA; PREVENTION; MANAGEMENT; STANDARD; ARGININE
subject category
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
authors
Gonçalves, E; Smaoui, S; Brito, M; Oliveira, JM; Arez, AP; Tavares, L
our authors
J. Martinho Oliveira
Coordinator Professor
Loleny Tavares
Junior ResearcherProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
Miguel Brito gratefully acknowledges the FCT/MCTES national support through the projects H&TRC UIDB/05608/2020, UIDP/05608/2020, and IPL/IDI&CA2023/Ipasthma_ESTeSL. J.M. Oliveira acknowledges the financial support of CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). Ana Paula Arez would like to acknowledge Fundacao paraa Ciencia e a Tecnologia for funds to GHTM-UID/04413/2020 and LA-REAL LA/P/0117/2020.