ABSTRACT

Garcinia kola (bitter kola), a medicinal plant indigenous to West Africa, is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. . Drosophila melanogaster serves as a powerful model due to its well-characterized genome, short life cycle, and genetic similarities with higher organisms, including humans. This study investigates the effects of its aqueous seed extract on the expression of three critical genes—SIMA, Tango, and Glob1—in Drosophila melanogaster, a widely used model organism in biomedical research due to its genetic similarity to humans and its relevance in studying oxidative stress and hypoxia-related pathways. Adult Drosophila were divided into control and treatment groups, with the latter receiving graded doses of Garcinia kola extract (5,000 mg/kg, 10,000 mg/kg, and 20,000 mg/kg). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to assess gene expression, and data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results showed a significant, dose-dependent modulation of gene expression. SIMA and Tango genes, associated with hypoxia response and metabolic regulation, were downregulated in treatment groups, suggesting reduced oxidative stress and improved oxygenation. Conversely, Glob1, a gene linked to oxygen transport, was upregulated, with the highest expression observed at 10,000 mg/kg.  These findings demonstrate the potential of Garcinia kola to modulate key genetic pathways involved in oxidative stress and hypoxia, providing molecular evidence for its traditional medicinal uses. This study underscores the value of Drosophila melanogaster as a model for exploring the therapeutic properties of natural products and sets the stage for further research into the clinical applications of Garcinia kola.