EXPRESSION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCER AND ACTIVATOR OF TRANSCRIPTION-5 IN ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED ANAEMIA BEARING WISTAR RAT TREATED WITH ICACINA TRICHANTHA AQUEOUS LEAVES EXTRACT.

Icacina trichantha is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, including antioxidative and hematoprotective effects. Over the past decade, interest has grown in exploring the impact of medicinal plants on gene regulation and hematological parameters.The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of the Signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) gene in aluminium chloride-induced anaemia bearing Wistar rats treated with Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract. 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, aluminum chloride group, ferrous sulfate group, aluminum chloride + 100mg/kg Icacina trichantha, aluminum chloride + 200mg/kg Icacina trichantha and aluminum chloride + 400mg/kg Icacina trichantha respectively. 5 milliliters (5ml) of blood sample were drawn from each rat, and haematological parameters and mRNA of STAT5 was determined using ERMA haematology autoanalyzer and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained was analyzed using the GraphPad prism software. The comparison of haematological parameters amongst the study groups showed that Mean cell volume (MCV) (µm3) was significantly lower in group F (54.64±0.96) when compared to group C (58.22±0.49) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) was significantly lower in group F (18.72±0.23) when compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p<0.05). Platelet distribution width (PDW %) was significantly lower in group E (8.96±0.27) when compared to group D (10.6±0.31) (p<0.05). Groups B, C, D, E, and F showed significantly higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups D, E and F had a higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group A and B (p<0.05). Group F also had a higher mRNA expression of STAT5 when compared to group D (p<0.05). In conclusion, administration of aluminum chloride and Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract led to significant effects on some haematological parameters although the mRNA expression showed dose-dependent alterations in the gene expression of STAT5.