ABSTRACT
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) plays a crucial role in protecting red blood cells from oxidative stress, while Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) is involved in regulating erythropoiesis and haemoglobin synthesis. Understanding the modulation of these genes by the bi-herbal formulation could provide valuable insights into its potential as a therapeutic intervention for anaemia. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and Krüppel like factor 1 (KLF1) 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, phenyl hydrazine group, ferrous sulphate group, phenyl hydrazine + 100mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus, phenyl hydrazine + 200mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus and phenyl hydrazine + 400mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus respectively. 5 milliliters (5ml) of blood sample were collected from each rat, and haematological parameters and mRNA of G6PD and KLF1 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). There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of G6PD of group B when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups C, D, E and F had a higher mRNA expression when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of KLF1 of group C, D and E when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). In conclusion, administration of phenyl hydrazine led to significant alterations in red blood cell parameters and indices. However, treatment with ferrous sulphate and the bi-herbal formulation resulted in improvements. Administration of the bi-herbal formulation also led to alteration in the gene expression of G6PD and KLF1.
