The Effects of Zanthoxylum Zanthoxyloides on Gardos Channel, Erythropoietin, Arginine Vasopressin Ii Receptor in Sodium Metabisulphite Induced Wistar Rats

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, resulting in defective hemoglobin (HbS) that distorts red blood cell shape. Traditional African medicine has identified Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (commonly known as Fagara) as a plant with therapeutic potential against sickle cell complications due to its bioactive constituents. This research examined the effects of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extract on the Gardos channel, erythropoietin, and arginine vasopressin II receptor (AVPR2) in sodium metabisulphite-induced sickling in Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of four rats each. Group 1 served as the normal control, Group 2 as the negative control (induced but untreated), Group 3 received Ciklavit, Group 4 was treated with folic acid, Group 5 received low-dose Fagara extract (30 mg/kg), and Group 6 received high-dose Fagara extract (100 mg/kg). Following four weeks of sodium metabisulphite induction, treatment commenced. Results showed that Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides improved the overall health of the rats and restored gene expression patterns disrupted by sickling. Ciklavit effectively normalized Gardos channel, erythropoietin, and AVPR2 expression, while folic acid improved erythropoiesis but had limited genetic impact. The study concludes that Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides possesses therapeutic benefits for SCD, but further investigation into dosage optimization, long-term safety, and molecular mechanisms is necessary.