Moringa oleifera extract regulates the expression of some sickle cell related genes in normal Wistar rats

Context: In the current study, we employed gene-regulatory based approach to underscore the putative mechanism of how components of Moringa oleifera (MO) ethanol extract exert its antisickling effects. Aims: To evaluate the relationship between mRNA expression profiles of some sickle cell related genes in normal rats. Methods: Normal Wistar rats were administered with MO at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight and the positive control group administered with folic acid for 14 days. The bone marrow and kidneys were harvested, followed by RT-PCR to assess the expression of Gardos channel [kccn1, kccn4], antioxidant [CAT, G6PD], and progression of meiosis [p21, p27] genes. Hematological parameters were also analyzed. Results: A downregulation of the Gardos channel genes (KCNN-4 and KCNN-1) was observed on MO intervention at 100 mg/kg while folic acid showed no significant expression. Significantly (p<0.05), MO intervention increased antioxidant system in sickle cell anemia scenario due to the expression pattern of antioxidant genes analyzed in this study and caused changes in hematological parameters such as PCV, HBC, MCH relative to the control groups. Conclusions: The study concluded that the administration of the ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaf increased blood production, has high antioxidant properties and reduced the expression of the Gardos channel pathway. These are important factors in the management of sickle cell disease and MO could be a candidate of interest in drug development.