EFFECT OF VARYING CONCENTRATION OF AQUEOUS PIPER GUINEENSE EXTRACT ON THE SURVIVAL RATE AND IRON REGULATORY PROTEIN (IRP1) GENE IN DROSOPHILA MALANOGASTER
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Abstract
Iron regulation is a vital aspect of hematological function, ensuring adequate iron supply for erythropoiesis while preventing oxidative toxicity from excess iron. The Iron Regulatory Protein 1 (IRP1) gene plays a central role in maintaining intracellular iron balance by modulating iron uptake, storage, and utilization. This study evaluated the effect of varying concentrations of aqueous Piper guineense (Uziza) leaf extract on the survival rate and IRP1 gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster, a recognized model for human iron metabolism. The aim was to determine how phytochemicals in Piper guineense, such as alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, influence iron homeostasis at the molecular level. Adult flies were divided into five groups: a
control group and four treatment groups administered 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml, and 400 mg/ml of Piper guineense extract through their diet. Survival was monitored over 21 days, and IRP1 expression was analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR. Results showed that the 100 mg/ml group recorded the highest survival rate (80 ± 2.65%) compared to the control (71.33 ±
1.76%), indicating mild protective effects at low doses. Conversely, 200 mg/ml (75.67 ± 3.38%), 300 mg/ml (72.33 ± 2.33%), and 400 mg/ml (73.33 ± 2.03%) exhibited slightly higher but statistically insignificant survival relative to control, suggesting that higher concentrations may induce mild stress or toxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that IRP1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the 200 mg/ml (1.55±0.05), 300 mg/ml (1.05±0.15), and 400 mg/ml (0.85±0.05) groups compared with control (2.30±0.10) (p < 0.05), while the 100 mg/ml (1.80±0.10) group maintained a relatively higher expression, implying upregulation of iron metabolism at lower doses. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of Piper guineense, where lower dosage intake enhances iron upregulation and increased survival rate, but increased dosage downregulates IRP1 expression and reduces the survival rate. The study concludes that controlled consumption of Piper guineense may potentially support hematological health, and further research on its molecular mechanisms and safe therapeutic dosage is recommended.
control group and four treatment groups administered 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml, and 400 mg/ml of Piper guineense extract through their diet. Survival was monitored over 21 days, and IRP1 expression was analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR. Results showed that the 100 mg/ml group recorded the highest survival rate (80 ± 2.65%) compared to the control (71.33 ±
1.76%), indicating mild protective effects at low doses. Conversely, 200 mg/ml (75.67 ± 3.38%), 300 mg/ml (72.33 ± 2.33%), and 400 mg/ml (73.33 ± 2.03%) exhibited slightly higher but statistically insignificant survival relative to control, suggesting that higher concentrations may induce mild stress or toxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that IRP1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the 200 mg/ml (1.55±0.05), 300 mg/ml (1.05±0.15), and 400 mg/ml (0.85±0.05) groups compared with control (2.30±0.10) (p < 0.05), while the 100 mg/ml (1.80±0.10) group maintained a relatively higher expression, implying upregulation of iron metabolism at lower doses. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of Piper guineense, where lower dosage intake enhances iron upregulation and increased survival rate, but increased dosage downregulates IRP1 expression and reduces the survival rate. The study concludes that controlled consumption of Piper guineense may potentially support hematological health, and further research on its molecular mechanisms and safe therapeutic dosage is recommended.
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