Epimedium Polysaccharide Ameliorates Benzene‐Induced Aplastic Anemia in Mice

Abstract

Benzene (BZ) is an important occupational and environmental pollutant. Exposure to BZ may cause aplastic anemia which is characterized as bone marrow hematopoietic failure. In order to reduce the harmful effects of this pollutant, it is necessary to identify additional preventative measures. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of epimedium polysaccharide (EPS), a natural compound with antioxidant and immune-enhancing potency, on aplastic anemia induced by benzene exposure in mice. Male CD-1 mice were randomly divided into five groups including control, BZ (880 mg/kg), LE (EPS low-dose, 20 mg/kg + BZ), ME (EPS middle-dose, 100 mg/kg + BZ), and HE (EPS high-dose, 200 mg/kg + BZ) groups. Animals were exposed to BZ by subcutaneous injection in the presence or absence of EPS via oral administration. All mice were treated 3 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks to develop a mouse model of benzene-induced aplastic anemia (BIAA). Results showed that BZ induced a significant decrease in both white and red blood cells, platelet counts, and hemoglobin level compared with that in the control group (p<0.01). Treatment of EPS led to a protective effect against these changes particularly in the highest-dose group (HE, p<0.01). EPS also recovered the decreased number of nucleated cells in peripheral blood cell smears and femur biopsies by BZ exposure. The increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) in mice from the BZ group was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the mice from the highest concentration of EPS (HE) group when compared with that from the control group. In addition, BZ exposure led to a significant increase in the apoptosis rate in BMMNCs which was prevented by EPS in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01). The antiapoptosis effect of EPS was through reversing apoptotic proteins such as BAX, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, and Bcl-2. Finally, EPS treatment partially restored the levels of T cells and the different subtypes except CD80+ and CD86+ compared with the BZ group (HE, p<0.05). These results suggest that EPS has protective effects against BIAA via antioxidative stress, immune modulation, and antiapoptosis mechanisms.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with anemia towards disease management

“…However, only 38.13% exhibited the awareness regarding the potential environmental factors contributing to anemia. Environmental exposures to substances like benzene, herbicides, and pesticides have been documented to pose health risks, and their potential link to anemia has been explored in scientific literature (28)(29)(30). The underlying mechanisms include damaging the DNA in blood-forming cells, interfering with hormonal systems, disrupting endocrine function, or causing cellular damage (28)(29)(30).…”

“…Environmental exposures to substances like benzene, herbicides, and pesticides have been documented to pose health risks, and their potential link to anemia has been explored in scientific literature (28)(29)(30). The underlying mechanisms include damaging the DNA in blood-forming cells, interfering with hormonal systems, disrupting endocrine function, or causing cellular damage (28)(29)(30). This finding has significant implications for public health education to address awareness gaps related to the etiological factors of anemia.…”

Exploring the mechanism by which Angelica sinensis improves haematopoietic function in aplastic anaemia

“…The evidence from benzene-induced AA mice [24] and X-ray exposure-induced AA mice [25] indicates that apoptosis and cell death-associated gene proportion of CD34+ bone marrow cells are very important mechanism in AA. The increased apoptosis in progenitor cells always associate with the immune system [26].…”

Modulations by L-Carvone and Thymoquinone to Exert Protection on Bone Marrow Cells Against Benzene-induced Toxicities Through Anti-inflammatory Pathways in SD Rats

“…Previous research has suggested that benzene-induced leukemia triggers apoptosis and caspase responses (He et al, 2020;Guo et al, 2019;McHale et al, 2012). Phytocompounds have been shown to be effective in reducing apoptosis caused by oxidative stress by exploring ROS, improving inhibiting lysosome rupturing, and maintaining redox state by chelating intraliposomal iron.…”

“…Because it is used as a fuel additive and is found in cigarette smoke nevertheless BZ is also an environmental chemical. Chronic exposure to BZ has been linked to hematotoxicity and a variety of blood disorders, AML, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are only a few examples according to research (He et al, 2020). By deregulating the immune system, BZ may cause bone marrow immunotoxicity or inhibit T lymphocyte activity and cytokine production, which can lead to bone marrow immunotoxicity.…”