EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETICS ACTIVITIES OF COSTUS AFRERKER GAWL METHANOL EXTRACT ON DROSOPHILLIMELANOGASTER

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) due to inadequate insulin production or insulin resistance. Antioxidants are molecules that prevent or slow down cell damage caused by free radicals. Costus afer (Family Costaceae) is a plant species widely used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus, stomach ailments, and arthritis. The study evaluate the invitro antioxidant and invivo anti diabetes potential of Costus afer leaves methanol extract on Drosophila melanogaster induced with high sucrose. Thirty five(35) flies were used for the assay grouped into five as 1 (Normal ),2 (Negative control), 3 (Positive control; 16mg metformin),4 (2mg C.afer extract ) and 5 (4mg C.afer extract ). The flies were homogenated and analysed for glucose concentration, protein concentration and reduced glutathione level (antioxidant assay). Glucose concentration measurements revealed that negative control group had the highest glucose level (175 mg/dl), while 2 mg extract group maintained a reduction level (48 mg/dl), indicating a potential glucose-lowering effect. Protein concentration assessments showed that negative control group (110 mg/dl) had the highest levels, with the extract groups demonstrating moderate levels. Additionally, reduced glutathione levels with the negative control group again showed the highest concentration (28 nM/ml), while the normal control exhibited the lowest (16 nM/ml).we assessed the effects of methanol extracts on locomotor activity and glucose levels. These findings demonstrated that C. afer significantly reduced glucose concentrations compared to control groups. This research underscores the therapeutic potential of Costus afer in diabetes management, advocating for further exploration of its pharmacological properties and applications in modern medicine.