P.A OBAZELU

Aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) is known to induce oxidative stress, impairing erythropoiesis and redox homeostasis, which may contribute to anaemia and other haematological alterations. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of antioxidant defense and cytoprotective genes, making it a key biomarker in toxin-induced oxidative stress. Evaluating the modulation of this gene by herbal extracts could provide valuable insights into their therapeutic potential. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of NRF2 gene in aluminium chloride-induced anaemia bearing Wistar rats treated with aqueous leaves extract of Icacina trichantha. Sixty (60) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly 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 of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, aluminium chloride + 200 mg/kg of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, and aluminium chloride + 400 mg/kg of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected for haematological analysis using an ERMA haematology autoanalyzer, while NRF2 mRNA expression was quantified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data obtained were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 software. Haematological parameters revealed no statistically significant differences across most groups (p > 0.05), although mean cell volume (MCV) (fL) was significantly reduced in group F (54.64±0.96) compared to group C (58.22±0.49) (p < 0.05), and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) was significantly lower in group F (18.72±0.23) compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p <0.05). NRF2 expression was elevated in group B relative to the control, though not significantly, but was significantly higher compared to groups C, D, E, and F (p < 0.05). Treatment with Icacina trichantha extract across the different doses did not restore NRF2 expression to control levels. In conclusion, aluminium chloride administration induced NRF2 upregulation as an oxidative stress response, while treatment with Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract led to a significant reduction in NRF2 expression, suggesting a modulatory effect that warrants further mechanistic investigation.