Toxicity of Mangifera Indica aqueous stem bark extract evaluated in drosophila melanogaster used as model organism

Abstract

Mangifera indica has been used for treating health complications with little data on its toxicological impact on survival, geotaxis, reproduction, and the antioxidant system. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were estimated. The ingestion method of exposure (extract was mixed in flies' food) was used. Each concentration was administered per 10g fruit flies diet. 7-day LC50 was determined by exposing 50 flies for 7 days to Mangifera indica concentration ranging from 100mg extract/10g diet to 2000mg extract/10g diet. 28 days survival assay was performed by exposing 50 fruit flies each to 25mg extract/10g diet, 50mg extract/10 diet g, and 100mg extract/10g diet for 28 days. A 6-day short term exposure was also conducted to assess Mangifera indica toxic effect on climbing activity, survival, reproduction, and antioxidant system in Drosophila melanogaster. Total phenol and flavonoid content were 0.226±0.02 and 0.027±0.05mg/g dry weight of the extract, respectively. There was a significant mortality rate (P<0.05), and the 7-day LC50 was 353mg extract/10g diet. At 25mg extract/10g diet 50mg extract/10g diet and 100mg extract/10g diet, the survival-rate of fruit flies significantly dropped (P<0.05) with arise in Mangifera indica concentration. Short-term exposure also showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in GST-activity, survival-rate, and emergence of young fruit flies with an increase in concentration. Total thiol, locomotor, AChE, and CAT activities decreased non-significantly (P>0.05). The significant adverse effect of Mangifera indica extract as seen in the decrease in survival rate, the emergence of young flies, climbing, and antioxidant activities of fruit flies suggests its cautious application and use in herbal medicine.