Safety Assessment of the Crude Methanol Extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E. A. Bruce Fruits in Drosophila melanogaster

Healing with medicinal plants is as old as mankind itself. The fruit of Sarcocephalus latifolius (SL) is used in folk medicine to treat tumours and other related diseases. This study aimed to assess the safety of the crude methanol extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce fruits (MSL) in Drosophila melanogaster. The study was performed in the in vivo mode. Adult Wild type (Harwich strain) flies were divided into six groups of 50 flies each. Group 1 (control, vehicle only), groups 2 - 6 (treated with 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 10 mg/kg MSL diet, at the stated doses, respectively). The flies were exposed to the various treatments for 7 days, initially to assess survival status, and later to 28 days. Thereafter, the behavioural, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, eclosion rate and biochemical parameters were assessed using standard methods.  The results showed that MSL improved the survival rates of D. melanogaster, with no toxic effect on the eclosion rate and locomotive capacity. In vivo, MSL exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in Nitric oxide (NO) levels (55%), depletion of LPO and H2O2 levels across all the groups compared to the control. MSL did not cause any form of alteration in the antioxidant defense system (GST, CAT and TSH and GSH levels) and maintained GST activity while improving GSH and total thiol levels. In conclusion, MSL possesses anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties, and is safe in D. melanogaster. These observations validate the safety of the fruits of Sarcocephalus latifolius used in traditional medicine.