Effect of Bi-Herbal Formula of Picralima Nitida and Cymbopogon Citratus Aqueous Leaf Extracts On Cyclooxygenase-2 and Interleukin-10 Gene Expressions in Phenyl-Hydrazine Induced Anaemia in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus has been associated with anti-inflammatory and hematopoietic properties, hinting at their potential effectiveness in addressing the complications of anaemia. Investigating their impact on the gene expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Interleukin 10 (IL-10) can provide insights into their modes of operation and capacity to regulate inflammatory pathways and immune responses linked to anaemia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extracts on COX-2 and IL-10 gene expressions in Phenyl Hydrazine-Induced Anaemia in Albino Wistar rats. A total of sixty adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups; A, B, C, D, E and F representing control, phenyl-hydrazine group, ferrous sulphate group, phenyl-hydrazine + 100mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus, phenyl-hydrazine+ 200mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus and phenyl-hydrazine + 400mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus respectively. mRNA COX-2 and mRNA IL-10 were determined using polymerase chain reaction. Data obtained was analysed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of COX-2 of groups C, D, E and F when compared to groups A and B (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of IL-10 of groups C, D, E and F when compared to groups A and B (p<0.05). In conclusion, the mRNA expression of COX-2 and IL-10 showed significant up-regulation in response to the bi-herbal formulation.