Ellagic acid mitigates rotenone-induced damage via modulating mitochondria function in Drosophila melanogaster.

Constant, systematic exposure to rotenone has been utilized in animal models to induce Parkinsonism. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties which is found in numerous natural fruits. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of ellagic acid in rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster evaluating their antioxidant and mitoprotective properties. Adult flies were treated with rotenone and ellagic acid through their diet for 7 days, thereafter markers of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, tyrosine hydroxylase), antioxidant and oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl contents, catalase, total thiol, and nonprotein thiol) was measured. Mitochondrial respiration was also evaluated in the flies. Survival assay was carried out with both genders of the flies, and we observed a significant increase in the survival rate of flies exposed to both rotenone and ellagic acid when compared with the increased mortality rate in the groups exposed to rotenone alone. The impaired locomotion, altered redox status, and enzymes of neurotoxicity induced by rotenone were significantly ameliorated by ellagic acid to levels comparable to the control. In addition, rotenone-induced complex 1 inhibition and altered bioenergetic state were restored upon ellagic acid supplementation. These findings show the beneficial properties of ellagic acid against pesticides induced toxicity.

Jobelyn® extends the life span and improves motor function in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to lipopolysaccharide via augmentation of antioxidant status.

Jobelyn® (JB), a dietary supplement, derived from polyphenol-rich leaf sheath of Sorghum bicolor, has been reported to attenuate sensorimotor deficits and oxidative stress evoked by complete Freund-adjuvant in mice. This present study evaluated its effects on the life span, motor function and changes in oxidative stress parameters as well as acetylcholinesterase activity in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The flies (50 per vial), in 5 replicates were fed with LPS (250 µg/kg diet) alone or in combination with JB (0.25-1.0 mg/kg diet) daily for 7 days. The mortality rate and motor function were evaluated on day 7. The flies were afterwards processed for determination of oxidative stress parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity. The effects of JB (0.25-1.0 mg/g diet) on the longevity of Drosophila was also investigated wherein the flies were monitored daily for mortality throughout their lifespan. The flies exposed to LPS (250 µg/kg diet) had reduced life span and elevated oxidative stress when compared with control. However, JB (0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg diet) improved the motor function and also reduced the mortality rate of the flies exposed to LPS. It also restored the cellular antioxidant status and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide as well as nitric oxide in Drosophila fed with LPS. JB also extended the longevity of the flies relative to control. The findings that JB improves motor function and extended the lifespan of Drosophila flies by boosting the antioxidant status and cholinergic function, suggest it might be helpful in delaying the onset of neuropsychiatric illnesses associated with the aging processes.

Antioxidant responses driven by Hesperetin and Hesperidin counteract Parkinson's disease-like phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster.

The study investigated the protective effects of Hesperetin (HSP) and Hesperidin (HSD) on 1 methyl, 4 phenyl, 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism in Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). After a lifespan study to select exposure time and concentrations, flies were co-exposed to MPTP (0.4 mg/g diet), Hesperetin (0.2 and 0.4 mg/g diet), and Hesperidin (0.1 and 0.4 mg/g) for 7 days. In addition to in vivo parameters, we assayed some markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, thiol content, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrate/nitrite levels, mRNA expression of Keap-1 (Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1), /Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2), catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities), and cholinergic (acetyl cholinesterase activity (AChE) and dopaminergic signaling content and the mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), monoamine oxidase (MAO-like) activity). In addition to increasing the lifespan of flies, we found that both flavonoids counteracted the adverse effects of MPTP on survival, offspring emergence, and climbing ability of flies. Both flavonoids also reduced the oxidative damage on lipids and proteins and reestablished the basal levels of pro-oxidant species and activities of antioxidant enzymes in MPTP-exposed flies. These responses were accompanied by the normalization of the mRNA expression of Keap1/Nrf2 disrupted in flies exposed to MPTP. MPTP exposure also elicited changes in mRNA expression and content of TH as well as in MAO and AChE activity, which were reversed by HST and HSD. By efficiently hindering the oxidative stress in MPTP-exposed flies, our findings support the promising role of Hesperetin and Hesperidin as adjuvant therapy to manage Parkinsonism induced by chemicals such as MPTP.

Evidence of acrylamide-induced behavioral deficit, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in Drosophila melanogaster.

Acrylamide (ACR), a ubiquitous compound with diverse route of exposure, has been demonstrated to have detrimental effects on human and animal health. The mechanisms underlying its toxicity is multifaceted and not fully elucidated. This study aims to provide further insight into novel pathways underlying ACR toxicity by leveraging on Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. The concentrations of acrylamide (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and period of exposure (7-days) used in this study was established through a concentration response curve. ACR exposure demonstrably reduced organismal viability, evidenced by decline in survival rate, offspring emergence and deficits in activity, sleep and locomotory behaviors. Using a high-resolution respirometry assay, the role of mitochondria respiratory system in ACR-mediated toxicity in the flies was investigated. Acrylamide caused dysregulation in mitochondrial bioenergetics and respiratory capacity leading to an impaired OXPHOS activity and electron transport, ultimately contributing to the pathological process of ACR-toxicity. Furthermore, ACR exacerbated apoptosis and induced oxidative stress in D. melanogaster. The up-regulation of mRNA transcription of Reaper, Debcl and Dark genes and down-regulation of DIAP1, an ubiquitylation catalyzing enzyme, suggests that ACR promotes apoptosis through disruption of caspase and pro-apoptotic protein ubiquitination and a mitochondria-dependent pathway in Drosophila melanogaster. Conclusively, this study provides valuable insights into the cellular mechanism underlying ACR-mediated toxicity. Additionally, our study reinforces the utility of D. melanogaster as a translational tool for elucidating the complex mechanisms of ACR toxicity.

Kaempferol counteracts toxicity induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in D. melanogaster: An implication of its mitoprotective activity.

The current study aimed to investigate whether kaempferol (KMP), the major bioactive component of green leafy vegetables, could counteract the toxicity elicited by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in Drosophila melanogaster or not. First, we performed a dose-response curve, where adult wild-type flies were fed on diet-containing different concentrations of KMP throughout their lifespan. Afterward, flies were fed on a diet containing MPTP (500 µM) and KMP (20 and 40 µM) for 7 days. The MPTP- fed flies presented a higher mortality rate, lower emergence rate, locomotor deficits, and disruption in circadian rhythm when compared to the control. MPTP exposure induced severe oxidative stress, which was marked by reduction in thiol content, overproduction of reactive species, lipid and protein oxidation, and disruption of enzymes of antioxidant and neurotransmission pathways. MPTP also compromised the mitochondrial dynamics and respiration of flies, affecting the electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, and fusion/fission processes. Besides extending per se the lifespan of flies, KMP counteracted the toxic effects of MPTP on the circadian cycle, survival, climbing, and hatching rates. KMP was also effective in restoring the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes, as well as in normalizing the levels of all oxidant/antioxidant markers disrupted in MPTP-fed flies. Indeed, KMP reestablished the mitochondrial functionality in MPTP- fed flies, restoring the electron transport system linked to mitochondrial complex I and II, and rescuing the mRNA transcription of genes associated with mitochondrial fusion and fission, namely OPA-1 (Optic atrophy 1) and DRP-1 (Dynamin related protein 1). Our results showed the efficacy of KMP in hindering the toxicity induced by MPTP in D. melanogaster and suggest that the mitoprotective action of flavonoid may be boosting its anti-parkinsonism activity in the model. Besides, the study showed that wild-type strains of D. melanogaster proved to be reproducible in vivo model to mimic parkinsonian phenotypes through exposure to the neurotoxin MPTP.

Biological interactions and attenuation of MPTP-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster by Trans-astaxanthin.

Trans-astaxanthin (TA) is a carotenoid with amphipathic chemical structure found in yeast, and aquatic organisms. It is known to possess both antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was carried out to investigate the ameliorative action of TA on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit fly). The flies were orally treated with TA (2.5 mg/10 g diet) and/or MPTP (500 µM) for 5 days. Thereafter, we evaluated selected biomarkers of locomotor deficits (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and negative geotaxis), oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), protein carbonyls (PC)), antioxidants (total thiols (T-SH), non-protein thiols, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase), and inflammation (nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) in the flies. Furthermore, we investigated molecular docking analysis of TA against Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)) of Homo sapiens and D. melanogaster. The results indicated that TA increased MPTP-induced decreased activities of AChE, GST, and catalase, as well as levels of non-protein thiols and T-SH compared with MPTP-treated flies (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TA attenuated inflammation, and improved locomotor deficit in the flies. The molecular docking data showed that TA had docking scores for binding both the Human and Drosophila Keap1, nearly closer to or higher than the standard inhibitor. The attenuating effects of TA against MPTP-induced toxicity could arise from its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties as well as its chemical structure.