EXPRESSION OF IFN-γ AND MPO IN BENZENE-INDUCED BONE MARROW TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS TREATED WITH A BI-HERBAL MIXTURE OF PICRALIMA NITIDA AND CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS

Abstract

Benzene is a common environmental pollutant and industrial chemical that poses serious health risks. Its toxicity is partly mediated through the activation of inflammatory and oxidative pathways. This study aimed to determine the effects of a dual-blend formula of P. nitida and C. citratus aqueous leaf extracts on IFN-γ and MPO gene expression in bone marrow-induced toxicity in Albino Wistar rats. Sixty Wistar rats were assigned to groups A (control), B (benzene), C (cyclophosphamide), D (100mg/kg of extract), E (200mg/kg of extract), and F (400mg/kg of extract). Bone marrow samples were collected, and mRNA levels of IFN-γ and MPO were assessed using PCR. The resulting data were analysed with GraphPad Prism software. The results indicated that group B had a higher expression of IFN-γ when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Treatment groups significantly and progressively reduced the expression of IFN-γ, with the lowest expression observed in the highest concentration of the extract (p<0.05). Group B had a significantly higher expression of MPO when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Treatment groups had no significant change in MPO expression when compared to group B (p>0.05). Conclusively, benzene increased IFN-γ and MPO, and the extract reduced IFN-γ expression with no changes in MPO expression.