Research of antioxidant properties of herbal extracts in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Oxidative stress is characterized by a disturbed redox state of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. Low or moderate ROS levels are beneficial for the immune system of the organism. Excessive ROS in the biological system is harmful to human health and is reported by studies as the cause of numerous inflammatory diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. In this research, the antioxidant properties of an herbal extract ‘KEextract’ (KE) was tested with in vivo model Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) through different biochemical experiments such as the ROS assays, thiol assays and intestinal barrier challenge assays (the so called “Smurf assays”). Intracellular stress in Drosophila melanogaster for the ROS assay was generated by treating the fruit flies with 30 mM iron (II) Sulfate (FeSO4). Intestinal barrier dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster for the Smurf assay was induced with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). ROS scavenging effect of KE was observed under the supplement groups with KE of different concentrations. A 45.3% reduction of ROS levels with 1% KE supplement in the fruit flies was detected. Moderate improvements of thiol redox effect were detected in the supplement groups with lower KE concentrations. A 13.5% reduction of the Smurf phenotype in the 1% KE supplement group and 5.9% less Smurf phenotype in the 0.5% KE supplement group were recorded. The Drosophila melanogaster model was approved to be suitable for the research purpose. Results in this study indicate that there are antioxidant properties of KE in fruit flies. For medical application of KE to improve human and animal health, further extensive medical experiments are to be considered.

Datum der Bewilligung	2024
Originalsprache	Englisch
Betreuer/-in	Julian Weghuber (Betreuer*in)