Abstract
Background and objectives
Sickle cell disease is a major haemoglobin disorder, and foetal haemoglobin (HbF) remains the strongest modifier of disease severity. Hydroxyurea is the standard HbF-inducing drug, but many patients show limited response. Curcumin and resveratrol are natural polyphenols with low toxicity. This study evaluated their individual and combined effects on HbF induction in K562 cells and primary CD34⁺ cells.
Methods
K562 cells were treated with curcumin, resveratrol, and hydroxyurea at increasing doses. Viability was measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, and IC₅₀ values (half maximal inhibitory concentration) were calculated. Drug combinations were tested in fixed ratios, and synergy was analysed using CompuSyn and SynergyFinder. CD34⁺ cells were isolated by MACS (magnetic-activated cell sorting) and differentiated for 14 days. Treatments began on day 3, and HbF levels were measured by ELISA.