Antioxidant effect of bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus extracts in phenyl-hydrazine induced Anaemia in albino Wistar rats

Background: Medicinal plants such as Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, which may mitigate oxidative stress and protect against various diseases. Antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase play critical roles in cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaves extracts on Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene expressions in Phenyl Hydrazine-Induced Anaemia in Albino Wistar rats.

Methods: Sixty adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups; A, B, C, D, E and F (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. 

Results: There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of GPx of group C, D and E when compared to groups A and B (p<0.05). mRNA expression of GPx of group D and E was significantly lower, compared to group C (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of SOD of groups C, D, E and F compared to groups A and B (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that the groups treated with ferrous sulfate and varying doses of the bi-herbal formulation exhibited increased mRNA expression of GPx and SOD.