ABSTRACT
Alterations in the expression or activity of ETS variant 6 (ETV6) and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 (NFE2) may occur as part of the cellular response to phenylhydrazine administration and the need to replenish RBCs.
Understanding the relationship between phenylhydrazine-induced damage, erythropoiesis, and the transcriptional regulation mediated by ETV6 and NFE2 provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying anaemia. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract on ETV6 and NFE2 gene expressions in Phenyl Hydrazine-Induced Anaemia in Albino Wistar rats. A total of sixty (60) adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups; A, B, C, D, E and F representing control, phenylhydrazine group, ferrous sulphate group, phenylhydrazine + 100mg/kg Biherbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus, phenylhydrazine + 200mg/kg Biherbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus and phenylhydrazine + 400mg/kg Biherbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus respectively. Haematological parameters, mRNA ETV6 and NFE2 were determined using haematology autoanalyzer and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The comparison of haematological parameters amongst the study groups showed that red blood cell count (RBC) (μL) of groups A (4.43±0.45) was significantly higher than groups B (2.19±0.31), C (3.41±0.10), D (3.49±0.10), E (2.67±0.08) and F (3.30±0.03). Haemoglobin concentration (g/dL) was significantly higher in groups A (10.69±0.65), C (9.79±0.09), D (9.95±0.27) and F (10.10±0.10) when compared to groups B (9.79±0.09) and E (10.10±0.10) (p<0.05). Mean cell volume (MCV)(µm3) was significantly lower in group A (68.62±1.21) when compared to groups B (106.04±0.71), C (108.36±0.34), D (109.89±1.95), E (112.00±1.25) and F (104.92±0.53) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) was significantly lower in group A (20.13±0.09) when compared to groups B (29.27±0.44), C (28.81±0.65), D (28.48±0.17), E (27.73±0.31) and F (29.35±0.27) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)(g/dL) was significantly higher in group A (29.41±0.45) when compared to groups B (27.68±0.33), C (26.60±0.52), D (26.01±0.43) and E (24.82±0.07) (p<0.05). RDWSD (%) of group A (55.13±2.96) was significantly lower when compared to groups B (87.26±2.43), C (88.50±1.39), D (90.26±1.96), E (91.95±0.72) and F (91.90±1.85) (p<0.05). mRNA expression of ETV6 of group B was higher when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups C and D showed statistically significant higher expression of ETV6 when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of NFE2 of group B when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups C and D showed statistically significant higher expressions of NFE2 when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). Groups E and F showed statistically significant lower expressions of NFE2 when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). In conclusion, Phenylhydrazine and biherbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus caused alterations in red cell parameters, ETV6 and NFE2.
