Drosophila larvae fed palm fruit juice (PFJ) delay pupation via expression regulation of hormetic stress response genes linked to ageing and longevity

Abstract

Palm fruit juice (PFJ) containing oil palm phenolics is obtained as a by-product from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit milling. It contains shikimic acid, soluble fibre and various phenolic acids including p-hydroxybenzoic acid and three caffeoylshikimic acid isomers. PFJ has also demonstrated beneficial health properties in various biological models. Increasing concentrations of PFJ and different PFJ fractions were used to assess growth dynamics and possible anti-ageing properties in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) genotype w. Microarray gene expression analysis was performed on whole fruit fly larvae and their fat bodies, after the larvae were fed a control Standard Brandeis Diet (SBD) with or without PFJ. Transcripts from Affymetrix GeneChips were utilised to identify the possible mechanisms involved, with genes having fold changes > |1.30| and p < 0.05 considered differentially expressed. PFJ dose-dependently delayed larval growth and pupation, but not percent eclosion from pupae. Eclosed male fruit flies fed PFJ or its fractions during the larval stage tended to have 20-40% improved survival ratings over controls when allowed to age on the control diet (SBD). Microarray analysis of whole fruit fly larvae revealed that 127 genes were up-regulated, while 67 were down-regulated by PFJ. Functional analysis revealed transport and metabolic processes were up-regulated, while development and morphogenesis processes, including the nutrient-sensing Tor gene, were down-regulated by PFJ, whereas microarray analysis of larval fat bodies found 161 genes were up-regulated, while 84 genes were down-regulated. Genes involved in defence response and determination of adult lifespan, including those encoding various heat shock proteins and the antioxidant enzyme Sod2, were up-regulated, while cell cycle and growth genes were down-regulated. Thus, PFJ supplementation lengthened the growth stages in fruit fly larvae that was reflected in extended ageing of adult flies, suggesting that larval expression of hormetic stress response genes was linked to subsequent ageing and longevity.

Palm Fruit Bioactives augment expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Nile Grass Rat basal ganglia and alter the colonic microbiome

“…84 Alteration of hormetic stress response genes with increase in fruit fly longevityFruit FlyLeow et al . 85 Increase in neuroprotection and enhancement of cognitive processesMouseLeow et al . 64 Reduction of plasma lipids and reduced obesity via altered metabolic energy profileMouseSambanthamurthi et al .…”

Insect Models in Nutrition Research

“…Plant phenols also increase longevity and ameliorate metabolic diseases in insects [ 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Palm fruit juice (PFJ) from Elaeis guineensis contains palm oil phenolics [ 70 , 72 , 73 ] with beneficial health properties including anti-diabetic activity in mammals by slowing glucose absorption, decreasing insulin resistance and/or improving insulin secretion [ 70 , 74 ]. Different concentrations of PFJ and its fractions were used to assess growth dynamics and anti-aging effects in Drosophila [ 70 ].…”

“…Palm fruit juice (PFJ) from Elaeis guineensis contains palm oil phenolics [ 70 , 72 , 73 ] with beneficial health properties including anti-diabetic activity in mammals by slowing glucose absorption, decreasing insulin resistance and/or improving insulin secretion [ 70 , 74 ]. Different concentrations of PFJ and its fractions were used to assess growth dynamics and anti-aging effects in Drosophila [ 70 ]. The study revealed that PFJ extended the growth stages of larvae and increased the lifespan of adult flies [ 70 ].…”

Palm Fruit Bioactive Complex (PFBc), a Source of Polyphenols, Demonstrates Potential Benefits for Inflammaging and Related Cognitive Function

“…Eclosed fruit flies fed PFJ or its fractions during the larval stage, then aged on PFJ-free SBD showed 20-40% improved survival ratings over controls. Transcriptomic analysis on whole fruit fly larvae and larval fat bodies revealed that PFJ supplementation generally lengthened the active stage of the fruit fly larvae and this may thus delay their aging process via expression regulation of hormetic stress response genes (Tor, various heat shock proteins, and Sod2) linked to aging and longevity [94].…”