Fetal Hemoglobin Inducer Activity of Moringa oleifera, Curcuma aueruginosa Roxb., and Artocarpus altilis Based on the Gamma Globin Expression

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Beta (β)‑thalassemia is a common single‑gene blood disorder resulting in a decrease or absence of β‑globin chain synthesis. In β‑thalassemia major, an imbalance of α/β globin chains results in severe oxidative stress that leads to pathological conditions. Reactivating the gamma (γ)‑ globin gene will overcome the excess alpha (α)‑globin chains and relieve β‑thalassemia patients' clinical course. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the most competent herbal extract with high efficiency in inducing γ‑globin gene expression to facilitate β‑thalassemia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used K562 cell line culture to assess the fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction efficacy of Moringa oleifera (MO), Curcuma aueruginosa Roxb. (CA), and Artocarpus altilis (AA). We carried out the benzidine test to count hemoglobin‑containing cells and RT‑qPCR to measure γ‑globin gene expression. RESULTS: The benzidine test showed that MO extract was the highest value (3%) in inducing fetal hemoglobin. However, based on RT‑PCR analysis, CA extract had the most significant (2.39 fold change) ability to reactivate the γ‑globin gene compared to Hydroxyurea as a positive control. CONCLUSION: The different properties and levels of MO and CA testing in antioxidant and reactivation of gene expression mechanism most probably influenced the discrepancy between the benzidine test and RT‑qPCR results.