Oyebode_2021_Drug.Chem.Toxicol__1

The present study investigated the antioxidant and cyto-/mito-protective roles of Methanol Fraction of Ficus mucoso (MFFM) in iron-induced oxidative damage in Drosophila melanogaster. At first, 10-day survival rates were carried out separately on FeSO(4) and MFFM, respectively, after which ameliorative effects of MFFM were investigated on FeSO(4)-induced toxicity for 5 days using biochemical and behavioral markers. Additionally, mitochondria were isolated from treated D. melanogaster to assess mitochondrial Permeability Transition (mPT) pore opening. The results showed that FeSO(4) significantly reduced survival rate, total thiol level and activities of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in D. melanogaster. In addition, treatment with FeSO(4) caused increased generation of H(2)O(2), NO (nitrite/nitrates) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity compared with control (p < 0.05). Conversely, MFFM restored FeSO(4)-induced inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities, as well as glutathione and total thiol levels. FeSO(4)-induced elevation of AChE activity as well as H(2)O(2) and NO (nitrites/nitrates) levels were ameliorated by MFFM with improved climbing activity. Interestingly, MFFM prevented FeSO(4)-induced mitochondrial Permeability Transition (mPT) pore opening, and elevated mitochondrial ATPase activity and mitochondrial lipid peroxides generation in D. melanogaster. Taken together, our results demonstrated that iron impaired anti-stress defence capacity, altered behavioral functions, increased generation of mitochondrial malondialdehyde and activated opening of the mPT pore in D. melanogaster. Conversely, methanol fraction of F. mucoso protected against iron-induced cyto-/mito-toxic effects. F. mucoso possibly contain bioactive agents which might be useful in the management of disorders associated with oxidative stress induced by iron and or related metals.