Rajak_2016_J.Hazard.Mater_321_690

This study reveals protective role of l-ascorbic acid (25, 50 and 100mug/mL) against toxic impacts of acute sub-lethal exposure of Acephate (5mug/mL) in a non-target organism Drosophila melanogaster. Organismal effect was evident from increased impairment in climbing activities (9 folds) of treated individuals who also manifested altered ocular architecture. These anomalies were reduced with l-ascorbic acid (l-AA) supplementation. Acephate induced apoptotic lesions in eye imaginal discs and gut confirmed tissue damage that also reduced with l-AA co-treatment. Reduction in viability of fat body cells ( approximately 41%), neural cells ( approximately 42%) and hemocytes (3 folds) indicates cytotoxic and immunotoxic potential of Acephate, which were significantly mitigated with l-AA co-administration. The sub-cellular toxic impacts of Acephate treatment became obvious from enhancement in activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT by approximately 1.63 folds, SOD by approximately 1.32 folds), detoxifying enzymes (Cyp450 by approximately 1.99 folds and GST by approximately 1.34 folds), 2.1 times boost in HSP 70 expression, and inhibition of cholinesterase activity (by approximately 0.66 folds). DNA breaks evident through comet assay confirmed Acephate triggered genotoxicity which could also be prevented through co-administration of. L-AA Furthermore, the study proposes the use of Drosophila as a model to screen chemicals for their protective potential against pesticide toxicity.