Exploring the neurotoxicity and changes in life cycle parameters of Drosophila melanogaster exposed to arecoline

Abstract

Background: Arecoline (an alkaloid) has been reported as a potent cytotoxic as well as genotoxic agent but its neurotoxic effects are limited. Material and methods: In the present study, we evaluated the neurotoxic effects and changes in life cycle parameters of Drosophila melanogaster on exposing the flies to 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μM of arecoline for 5 days. After the exposure, the flies were assayed for climbing ability, activity pattern, oxidative stress markers, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase activity (MAO), caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and apoptosis in the neuronal cells. For studying the effects on life cycle parameters, duration of pupation, emergence and life span were also studied. Results: The exposure of flies to 5 and 10 μM of arecoline did not show toxic effects, but the flies exposed to 20, 40 and 80 μM showed a significant dose-dependent loss of climbing ability, activity pattern, MAO, glutathione (GSH) content and acetylcholinesterase activity and increase in the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), MAO activity, lipid peroxidation assay (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC), caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and apoptosis in the neuronal cells. The exposure of flies to arecoline not only results in the delay of pupation but also delayed the emergence of flies. A significant reduction was also observed in the life span of flies exposed to 20, 40 and 80 μM of arecoline. The eyes of flies emerged from the larvae exposed to various doses of arecoline were also analysed for the phenotypic abnormality. Clear dose-dependent deformities were observed in the eyes of the flies emerged from the exposure of larvae exposed to 20, 40 and 80 μM of arecoline. Conclusion: Arecoline not only is a neurotoxic agent but also affects the life cycle parameters of the fly.

Calcium carbide–induced derangement of hematopoiesis and organ toxicity ameliorated by cyanocobalamin in a mouse model

“…Consequently, it provides first line cellular defense against free radicals. Reduced glutathione in the tissues is one of the primary antioxidants involved in the quenching of generated ROS under abnormal physiological conditions such as those induced by toxins [27,28]. Hydroxamic acid, a known toxin, disrupts the antioxidant balance in the liver and spleen at higher doses in rats [27].…”

Drosophila melanogaster as an indispensable model to decipher the mode of action of neurotoxic compounds

“…MAO can be quantified following Mcewen (McEwen, 1965). Caspase-9 (Dronc) and Caspase-3 (Drice) reveal the neurotoxicity leading to neuronal cell death and are quantified by detecting the chromophore p-nitroanilide at 405 nm (Shakya and Siddique, 2018).…”

Protective effect of the newly synthesized and characterized charge transfer (CT) complex against arecoline induced toxicity in third-instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg9: experimental and theoretical mechanistic insights

“…[5][6][7][8][9] We have studied the toxicity of arecoline and the protective effect of natural plant products (Geraniol) in the third instar larvae as well as adult flies of the transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg 9 . [10][11][12] The toxic effects of arecoline could be reduced by using natural plant products and the supplementation of various vitamins. 13 The charge transfer complexes (CTCs) are self-assembled organic materials formed from the interaction between donor and p-acceptor moieties through N + -HÁ Á ÁO À bonding, and this concept was first introduced by Mulliken and Foster.…”

“…5–9 We have studied the toxicity of arecoline and the protective effect of natural plant products (Geraniol) in the third instar larvae as well as adult flies of the transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg 9 . 10–12 The toxic effects of arecoline could be reduced by using natural plant products and the supplementation of various vitamins. 13…”