AQUEOUS LEAVES EXTRACT OF Icacina trichantha

Anaemia is influenced by erythroferrone (ERFE), a regulator of hepcidin during stress erythropoiesis. Aluminium chloride induces anaemia through oxidative stress and impaired iron utilization. Icacina trichantha, a medicinal plant with reported haematopoietic and antioxidant effects, may modulate ERFE expression in anaemic conditions. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Icacina trichantha on ERFE gene expression in aluminium chloride-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, aluminium chloride group, ferrous sulphate group, aluminium chloride + 100 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract, aluminium chloride + 200 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract and aluminium chloride + 400 mg/kg Icacina trichantha extract respectively. Haematological parameters, blood cell morphology and mRNA ERFE expression were determined using haematology autoanalyzer, manual method and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The comparison of red blood cell parameters showed that red blood cell count (RBC) of groups C (7.65±0.21), D (8.18±0.06), E (7.84±0.31) and F (8.05±0.29) showed no significant difference when compared with groups A (8.09±0.12) and B (7.74±0.21) (p>0.05). Haemoglobin Concentration (g/dL) of groups C (15.06±0.36), D (15.5±0.22), E (15±0.59) and F (15.1±0.61) was not significantly different from groups A (15.33±0.24) and B (14.84±0.32) (p>0.05). Haematocrit (%) of groups C (44.46±0.99), D (45.1±0.73), E (44.32±1.46) and F (43.86±1.52) was not significantly different from groups A (44.88±0.78) and B (44.52±0.96) (p>0.05). Mean cell volume (MCV) of group F (54.64±0.96) was significantly lower than group C (58.22±0.49) (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in other groups. Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) of group F (18.72±0.23) was also significantly lower when compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RDW-SD, and RDW-CV showed no significant differences among the groups (p>0.05). Normochromatic and normocytic cells were moderately present in most groups (A, C, D, E), while Group B showed reduced levels with increased crenated cells. Group F demonstrated higher normocytic cell presence alongside mild crenation. Polychromatic cells were absent across all groups. Groups B showed significantly higher expression of RUNX1 when compared to groups A (p<0.05). Groups B showed significantly lower expression of ERFE when compared to groups A (p<0.05). Group C, D, E and F had significantly higher expression of ERFE when compared to group B (P<0.05). In conclusion, treatment with ferrous sulphate and varying doses of Icacina trichantha extract caused changes in red blood cell parameters and also improved ERFE expression, with the highest extract dose showing the greatest effect.

Icacina trichantha is a medicinal plant traditionally used in West Africa for its hematinic and immunomodulatory properties. The study is aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Icacina trichantha on the expression of the High-Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB-1) gene in Wistar rats with aluminum chloride–induced anaemia. Sixty (60) adult male Wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups: Group A (Control), Group B (AlCl₃ only), Group C (AlCl₃ + 40 mg/kg ferrous sulphate), and Groups D, E, and F (AlCl₃ + 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg I. trichantha extract, respectively). Blood samples were analyzed for white blood cell parameters using an ERMA haematology autoanalyzer, and HMGB1 mRNA expression was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with GAPDH as the internal control. Total WBC count was highest in Group B (7.5 ± 0.91) and lowest in Group C (4.92 ± 0.51), with extract-treated groups showing intermediate values (6.28 ± 0.46, 5.88 ± 1.17, and 5.98 ± 0.57 for Groups D, E, and F, respectively), though differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Lymphocyte, MID, and granulocyte percentages showed mild variations across groups but without statistical significance. Significant weight gain was observed in Groups D, E, and F at day 28 compared to day 0 (p < 0.05). HMGB1 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in Groups C, D, and E compared to Groups A and B (p < 0.05), indicating activation of immune-related molecular pathways. In conclusion, while I. trichantha did not significantly alter WBC indices in AlCl₃-induced anaemia, its administration was associated with notable upregulation of HMGB1 expression and improved body weight, suggesting potential modulatory and restorative effects that warrant further mechanistic studies.