THE EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS ON ANTI-OXIDANT ENZYMES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Hyptis suaveolens, also known as the pignut, belong to the Lamiaceae family. It has diverse phytochemical composition. Drosophila melanogaster are a popular model organism in scientific research, particularly in the fields of genetics, developmental biology, and disease modeling. Antioxidant enzymes are important as part of the cellular defense mechanism against free radicals generation. The aim of the research is to determine the effect of methanol extract of Hyptis suaveolens on anti-oxidant enzymes of Drosophila melanogaster. The experimental flies were divided into 4 groups as negative control, positive control, MHS group and Vitamin C group. Oxidative Stress was induced using H2O2 in all groups accept positive control. The positive group was given only solvent of 5ml/5g diet, while the MHS and Vit. C groups were given 5ml/5g of MHS /diet and 4ml/5g of Vit. C/diet 5 respectively. On the 5th day, the homogenates of the flies were made and the level of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and Nitric oxide were determined using biochemical methods as described by Lushchak et al., (2018). The results of the determination were analyzed using the Gradprism software and the findings showed that oxidative stress significantly increased MDA levels and decreased SOD, CAT, and NO activities. Treatment with Vitamin C and Hyptis suaveolens methanolic extract reversed these changes, indicating their antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that H. suaveolens methanolic extract can mitigate oxidative stress-induced damage, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents. Further studies should investigate the optimal dosage and duration of treatment with H. suaveolens extract.