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ABSTRACT
The Jatropha tanjorensis plant is a vegetable commonly consumed in Southern Nigeria for its purported blood-tonic properties and is known to possess various bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the haematological effects of the leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on male albino Wistar rats. A total of thirty (30) male adult albino Wistar rats were selected into five (5) groups. The groups were the control group, phenyl-hydrazine group, 1000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group, 2000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group and 4000mg/Kg of Jatropha tanjorensis group. RNA extraction and semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to isolate RNA from rat bone marrow, Complimentary DNA was synthesized and was subsequently amplified using polymerase chain reaction. Gel electrophoresis was used to determine the bands of the genes. The findings revealed that the mRNA expression of glycoprotein IX was significantly higher in the phenylhydrazine-treated group when compared to control (p<0.001). Groups 3, 4 and 5 however, also had a higher significance when compared with group 1 (p=<0.0001), as well as when compared with group 2 (p=<0.05). The mRNA expression of Glycoprotein Ibα in group 2 had a higher significance than in group 1 (p=<0.001). Groups 3,4 and 5 however had less significant expression of the GPIbα mRNA when compared with group 2 (p=<0.05). Lastly, Group 4 had a lower expression of the mRNA when compared with Group 1 (p=<0.05), while Group 5 had a higher significance when compared with Group 1 (p=<0.05). The mRNA expression of GPIbβ in groups 2, 3 and 4 was of lower significance when juxtaposed with that of group 1 (p=<0.05). Additionally, groups 4 and 5 showed a higher significance of the expression of GPIbβ mRNA than group 2 (p=<0.05). Finally, group 5 had a higher significance when compared with group 3 (p=<0.05). In conclusion, Jatropha tanjorensis significantly increased glycoprotein IX, Ibα AND Ibβ expression. These results suggest that Jatropha tanjorensis could influence haemostasis by modulating the expression of key regulatory factors.
