Differential Gastrointestinal Effects Of Pongamia Pinnata Extracts In Drosophila Melanogaster Larvae: Influence Of Compound Polarity On Gut Ph And Morphology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/rwxefr46Keywords:
Pongamia pinnata, Drosophila melanogaster, Polarity, Gastrointestinal tract, pH profile disturbance.Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) drug screening is a valuable approach for evaluating the safety and potential applications of bioactive compounds. This study utilized Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae as an in vivo model to examine the effects of Pongamia pinnata extracts on gut pH regulation. Petroleum ether, water, and acetone extracts were administered orally, with bromophenol blue serving as the pH indicator control. All three extracts induced measurable disturbances in the larval midgut pH, with the petroleum ether fraction producing the most pronounced alterations.
Phytochemical screening and GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids—compounds known for their therapeutic and insecticidal properties. The results indicate that P. pinnata phytoconstituents can modulate gut physiology in insects, highlighting their potential dual role in gut health promotion and pest management. Furthermore, the study reinforces the relevance of D. melanogaster as a cost-effective, OECD-aligned model for preliminary screening of plant-derived bioactive agents.
