Evaluation of Iron, Ferritin levels and the Toxic effect of Datura metel in Drosophila melanogaster model.

Introduction: The toxic effect of Datura metel have been well documented in humans however litter is known on its effect on iron profile status. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect Datura metel on some iron profile parameters using Drosophila melanogaster model. Materials and Methods: Drosophila melanogaster flies were allocated into four classes (ethanolic leaf extract, ethanolic seed extract, aqueous seed extract and aqueous leaf extract) with six (6) different concentrations. Each concentration were performed in triplicates with twenty-five (25) flies each. Aqueous and ethanolic extract of Datura metel leaf and seed were extracted and different concentrations was administered to Drosophila melanogaster. A survival assay was done for 14 days while Serum iron and Serum ferritin assay was done after 7 days on the various treatment group. Iron and ferritin were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ANOVA was used to compare between the different concentrations of the extract and the control group and result reported in mean±SEM. Results: The results obtained showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in iron concentration in the experimental group treated with different concentrations of aqueous leaf extract of Datura metel when compared with the control. Similarly, there was a significant decrease in iron (P = 0.001) and ferritin (P < 0.001) in the experimental group treated with different concentration of ethanolic extract of Datura metel seed when compared to the controls. The median survival rate shows that after 14 exposure to different concentrations of datura metel, aqueous and ethanolic leaves extracts had a median survival rate of 8 flies while aqueous and ethanolic seed extract had a median survival rate of 11 and 12 flies respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that ethanolic and aqueous extract of Datura metel seed and leaf decreases iron and ferritin levels in Drosophila melanogaster. And the leaves of Datura metel maybe more toxic than the seed of the plant.