EFFECT OF JANTROPHA TANJORENSIS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE EXPRESSION PATTERN

ABSTRACT

Jatropha tanjorensis, a plant traditionally used in various traditional medicines for its health benefits, has attracted attention due to its reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There is growing need to study its ability to mitigate the effects of phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia which potentially involves modulation of HOXA11, MECOM and NFE2 gene expressions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of Jatropha tanjorensis aqueous leaf extracts on HOXA11, MECOM and NFE2 gene expression in male albino Wistar rats. A total of thirty (30) male adult albino Wistar rats were selected into five (5) groups. The groups were control group, 40mg phenyl hydrazine group, 1000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group, 2000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group and 4000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group. Haematological parameters and mRNA expressions of HOXA11, MECOM 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 the Total white blood cell count (TWBC) of the control group (6.06±0.56), shows a significantly higher value when compared to the 40mg Phenyl hydrazine group (8.233±0.58) and the untreated group (14.37±2.57) (p<0.05). The lymphocyte count in the control group (74.86±5.02) was significantly lower than that obtained from the group administered with 2000mg/kg (93.82±0.70) (p<0.05) of Jatropha tanjorensis crude extract and it was also significantly lower in the control group (74.86±5.02) when compared to that obtained from the group administered with 4000mg/kg (92.2±1.00) (p<0.05). The granulocyte count of the control group (18.28±1.715) was also found to be statistically significant when compared to the 40mg Phenyl hydrazine (2.433±0.1764), Untreated (8.2±2.801), 1000mg/kg (3.37±1.411), 2000mg/kg (1.82±0.1715), and 4000mg/kg (2.2±0.4572) (p<0.05) groups. Red blood cell (RBC) parameters also indicated significant differences. Platelet count also indicated significant differences. The mRNA expression of HOXA11 is significantly lower (p>0.001) in the 2000mg/kg group compared to the control group. HOXA11 gene expression in 4000mg/kg group was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the 2000mg/kg group but significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the untreated group.Expression of the MECOM gene was significantly lower in the untreated group when compared to the control. The expression of the MECOM gene in 1000mg/kg 2000mg/kg, and 4000mg/Kg were all significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared to the untreated group. Both 2000mg/kg and 4000mg/kg showed higher significance compared to the control group. Results shows significantly lower (p<0.05) expressions of the NFE2 gene among the untreated, 1000mg/kg and 4000mg/Kg compared to the control group. 1000mg/kg 2000mg/kg shows significantly higher expressions compared to the untreated group. The 400mg/kg group shows lower significant expressions compared to the 2000mg/kg group. This study concludes thatJatropha tanjorensis extract had an impact on haematological parameters thereby leading to an increase in haematopoiesis. Phenyl hydrazine induced anaemia when treated with Jatropha tanjorensis is associated with an increase in the expression levels of MECOM and NFE2 genes.Phenyl hydrazine administration lead to an increase in the expression of HOXA11 gene. However, subsequent administration of different doses of Jatropha tanjorensis extract appeared to counteract the Phenyl hydrazine increase in HOXA11 gene expression.