Effect of a bi-herbal formula extract on ETS Variant-6 and Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2 Genes expression in Phenyl-Hydrazine induced anaemia in Albino Wistar rats

Background: Alterations in the expressions of ETS variant-6 (ETV6) and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 (NFE2) may occur as part of cellular response to phenyl-hydrazine administration and the need to replenish RBCs. Understanding the relationship between phenyl-hydrazine-induced damage, erythropoiesis, and transcriptional regulation mediated by ETV6 and NFE2 provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying anaemia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extracts on ETV6 and NFE2 gene expressions in phenyl-hydrazine induced anaemia in albino Wistar rats.  Methods: A total of 60 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. Messenger RNA (mRNA) ETV6 and NFE2 were determined using polymerase chain reaction.  Results: mRNA expression of ETV6 of group B was higher when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups C and D showed statistically significant higher expression of ETV6 when compared to group A and B (p=0.001). There was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of NFE2 of group B when compared to group A (p=0.001). Groups E and F showed statistically significant lower expressions of NFE2 when compared to groups A and B (p=0.001).  Conclusion: Phenyl-hydrazine and bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus caused positive alterations in ETV6 and NFE2.