IN SILICO SCREENING OF BRIDELIA FERRUGINA PHYTOCHEMICALS AGAINST DHYDROFOLATEREDUCTASE-THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE(DHFR-TS) TARGET IN MALARIAL PARASITE AND IT'S EFFECT ON THE LIFE SPAN OF DROSOPHILA MELANGASTER

Abstract Malaria which is caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains a major global health challenge, necessitating the discovery of novel antimalarial agents. This study focuses on the in silico screening of phytochemicals derived from Bridelia ferruginea against the enzyme target Dihydrofolate Reductase-Thymidylate Synthase (DHFR-TS) in malarial parasites. DHFR-TS is a critical enzyme in the folate pathway, essential for DNA synthesis and repair, making it a prime target for antimalarial drug development. Using computational docking methods, the binding affinities of various Bridelia ferruginea phytochemicals to DHFR-TS were assessed. The top-performing compounds were then selected for further validation using Drosophila melanogaster as the test organism, owing to its genetic similarities and established use in antimalarial research. Drosophila melanogaster flies were also administered with Bridelia ferruginea extracts for 14 days. The flies were fed with 5g diet containing 50, 100, and 200mg/kg of Bridelia ferrugina stem bark. Survival test was conducted to monitor the viability and any potential toxic effects of the plant .The results revealed that several Bridelia ferruginea phytochemicals such as Quercetin with binding score of (-9.1), and Dicaffeoylquinic Acid with binding score of (-9.5) exhibit strong binding affinity to DHFR-TS as compared to the reference drug Artemisinin with the binding score of (-8.7), suggesting their potential as better inhibitors of this enzyme These findings indicate that Bridelia ferruginea stem bark could serve as a valuable source of new antimalarial compounds, warranting further investigation on toxicity and development. Low mortality rate observed in the fruit flies fed 50mg/kg shows that Bridelia ferruginea can extend the life span of Drosophila melanogaster.