In vitro Identification of the Iron-Chelating Potential of Kwini Mango (Mangifera odorata Griff) Leaf Extract in Iron Overload Cases

Iron overload (IO) is a condition of iron dyshomeostasis marked by an excess store of iron in the human body. IO disrupts several vital organs like the liver, heart, pancreas, and endocrine tissue. Kwini mango (Mangifera odorata Griff) leaves with mangiferin content (a phenolic compound) can chelate Fe³⁺ because they induce Fe²⁺ oxidation, potentially reducing blood iron.

This research aimed to develop an alternative IO drug in vitro based on the kwini mango leaf extract (KMLE) as an iron chelator using blood samples from a patient with IO.

ELISA was employed to determine the reduction in serum ferritin levels in the blood samples as an indicator of iron-chelating activity. The complexing agent 1,10-phenanthroline was utilized to estimate total iron contents, and HPLC was used to measure the mangiferin content of KMLE.

In vitro assay using 1,10-phenanthroline showed that KMLE made at a concentration of 8 ppm contained 6.22ug/mL iron or about 7.775%. HPLC showed that the extract had a total mangiferin of 10.82µg/g or around 0.001%. In addition, ELISA revealed that serum ferritin levels at the treatment groups receiving 1500, 1250, 1000, 750, and 500ppm of KMLE were substantially lower by 67.60, 51.54, 66.52, and 13.50% than the deferoxamine and mangiferin standard groups.

KMLE reduces the serum ferritin level in vitro, indicating potential as an iron chelator in IO cases.