Drosophila melanogaster

The growing consumption of processed seasoning, particularly Knorr, has raised scientific concern regarding their potential physiological effects, owing to the inclusion of additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), high salt content and synthetic flavor enhancers. This study investigated the effects of Knorr seasoning on Drosophila melanogaster across different concentrations. The flies were allocated into five groups: Group A (control), Group B (0.3 g), Group C (0.15 g), Group D (0.1 g), and Group E (0.05 g). Survival analysis revealed that Knorr seasoning significantly influenced lifespan (p = 0.006). Flies exposed to the highest concentration (0.3 g) exhibited the lowest survival rate by Day 21 (8.3%), whereas those treated with the lowest concentration (0.05 g) maintained a relatively higher survival rate (20.0%) compared to the control group (22.9%). A second setup was made and the flies was divided into five groups with varying concentrations to assess antioxidant enzyme activity. Catalase (CAT) activity showed no significant differences among groups (p = 0.624), while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity varied significantly (p = 0.012). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity did not differ significantly across treatment groups (p = 0.984). Overall, the findings demonstrated that Knorr chicken seasoning reduced the survival of Drosophila melanogaster in a concentration-dependent manner, with the greatest reduction observed at 0.3 g. Antioxidant enzyme assays indicated that Knorr seasoning selectively modulated SOD activity, suggesting heightened oxidative stress responses at higher concentrations and reduced activity at intermediate levels, whereas CAT and GPx activities remained largely unaffected. These results emphasize the critical role of dosage in determining whether Knorr seasoning exerts detrimental or potentially adaptive biological effects. Further investigations are warranted to validate these findings and explore the long term health implications of seasoning cube consumption.

Ionizing radiation is known to trigger a wide range of genetic and epigenetic modifications that disrupt cellular equilibrium and activate stress response pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the transcriptional behavior of two iron metabolism–associated genes, Transferrin 1 (TSF1) and Transferrin 2 (TSF2), in Drosophila melanogaster subjected to X-ray and low-dose CT room radiation. These transferrin genes are central to maintaining iron balance and epithelial stability, making them valuable candidates for assessing molecular alterations induced by radiation exposure. Adult flies were exposed to radiation for 7 and 14 days, after which total RNA was extracted and analyzed using semi- quantitative RT-PCR, with GAPDH serving as an internal control for normalization. The results revealed a consistent and significant elevation in TSF1 expression under both radiation types. For instance, expression levels increased from control values of 67.77 ± 1.84 to 80.14 ± 1.00 at day 7 and further to 85.97 ± 1.43 by day 14 under X-ray exposure. A similar trend was observed in CT room–exposed flies, where expression rose to 80.20 ± 0.72 at day 7 and 86.28 ± 1.85 at day 14. This persistent upregulation suggests that TSF1 plays a protective role by enhancing iron sequestration and transport, thereby reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and limiting oxidative injury. In contrast, TSF2 demonstrated a biphasic expression profile. An initial increase was recorded at 7 days post-exposure (72.23 ± 2.39 following X-rays), but expression declined sharply at 14 days, particularly in CT-exposed flies (57.76 ± 1.94) relative to control levels (61.96 ± 1.14). In Conclusion, This pattern indicates an early, short-lived adaptive response followed by suppression, possibly reflecting tissue vulnerability and compromised epithelial barrier function under chronic radiation stress.

Diagnostic radiation (X-rays, CT scans) generates reactive oxygen species and DNA damage, affecting apoptotic gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster, a model for cellular responses. Effector caspases DrICE and Dcp-1 regulate apoptosis under stress. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acute (X-ray) and chronic (CT room) radiation over 7 and 14 days on DrICE and Dcp-1 mRNA expression in Drosophila. The flies were divided into 4 groups; X ray exposure (7days), X ray exposure (14days), CT room exposure (7days), CT room exposure (14days). DrICE and Dcp-1 mRNAs expression were determined using Polymerase chain reaction. The data obtained was analyzed using graphpad prism (version 8.02, California, USA). The result showed that DrICE mRNA increased significantly (p<0.001) in all exposure groups (X-ray/CT room, 7/14 days) when compared to the control (66.16± 0.31), but decreased (p<0.01) in CT room at 14 days (75.84± 2.17) when compared to X-ray (14 days) (83.29± 1.14) and CT room (7 days)(86.18±1.84). Dcp-1 mRNA showed no significant change (p>0.05) with X-ray (7/14 days) when compared to the control, but decreased (p<0.01) in CT room at 14 days ( 57.16±2.37) when compared to control (71.29±1.13) and X-ray 7 and 14 days ( 74.51±2.66 and 69.06±1.72) with a milder drop (p<0.05) at 7 days(61.48±1.15). In conclusion, DrICE upregulation shifts to suppression under chronic CT exposure, indicating an adaptive response. Dcp-1 stability under X-ray contrasts with CT suppression, showing dose-rate effects. This suggests radiation modulates apoptosis, with potential for pest control, needing further protein studies.

Benny seasoning is a cooking powder that is commonly used in Africa for improving the taste, aroma and color of food. The potential health risk from the use of Benny seasoning powder remains unclear. Oxidative stress has been implicated in disease onset. Hence in this study, oxidative parameters were assessed in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) exposed to Benny seasoning at various concentrations (Control, 0.025 g/mL, 0.05 g/mL and 0.1g/mL)for seven (7) days. A survival study and climbing assay was conducted and the observations obtained from the study showed that with increasing concentration, mortality rate increased and the climbing activity decreased. After homogenization, specific markers of oxidative stress response (Protein, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) were assessed. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p<0.05) when control was compared with the treatment groups. However there were alterations (increase and decrease) in all of the markers indicating a response to oxidative stress. Some genes involved in neurotoxicity were observed (SPITZ, WINGLESS, EIGER, FOXO HEDGEHOG, KEAP1) after exposure to Benny seasoning. There were significant differences with increasing concentrations in the expression of thesegenes indicative of neurotoxicity. Further studies may be needed to fully assess oxidativeeffect at the genetic level in order to completely understand the oxidative stress responses of Drosophila melanogaster to Benny seasoning powder

Iron homeostasis is vital for numerous physiological processes, including oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and erythropoiesis, and its imbalance can result in anemia or iron overload. The transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) plays a central role in this regulation by mediating iron uptake at the cellular level. Given the limitations of synthetic modulators of iron metabolism, the search for natural alternatives has gained scientific attention. Piperguineense, commonly known as uziza, is a West African spice rich in phytochemicals with reported hematopoietic and antioxidant properties. This study therefore, aimed to investigatethe effect of varying concentrations of aqueous Piper guineense leaf extract on TfR1geneexpression in Drosophila melanogaster, a model organism widely used due to its conservedgenetic similarity with humans. Flies were divided into five groups: a control group and four treatment groups receiving 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/ml of the extract, respectively. Survival rate was monitored for 21 days, while molecular analysis was conducted through RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and semi-quantitative PCR. The 100 mg/ml group demonstrated the highest survival rate and a TfR1 expression level comparable to the control
(2.28 ± 0.07 vs 2.30 ± 0.10), suggesting maintenance of normal iron uptake. At 200 mg/ml, a slight decline in TfR1 expression (2.10 ± 0.08) was observed relative to the control, while300 mg/ml produced a more pronounced reduction (1.97 ± 0.06). The 400 mg/ml group showed the lowest expression (1.89 ± 0.05), indicating significant dose-dependent downregulation. These findings implied that low concentrations may enhance or preservenormal iron metabolism, whereas higher doses may suppress transferrin receptor activity, potentially disrupting iron uptake. It is therefore recommended that Piper guineense extract
be used in low doses for beneficial hematologic modulation, and further studies be conducted to isolate its active compounds and assess safety thresholds in mammalian systems

Iron is one of the integral components of many biochemical properties which is maintained normal physiological activities for the healthy life. Insufficient iron causes different effects at the cellular level like limited oxygen supply, meager work performance and reduces immunity. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the varied concentration of Gongronema latifolium leave extract on iron metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. Samples were 1-2 days old virgin male and female Drosophila melanogaster fed with varied concentration of Utazi leaf extract supplemented corn meal diet. The control subjects include 1-2 days old virgin male and female Drosophila melanogaster fed with only corn meal diet and distilled water. The survival assay was carried out in three replicates of each concentration, for the determination of biochemical assays, a second group experiment was carried out. Ferritin ELISA kit was used to determined the Ferritin level, TIBC was determine using TIBC ELISA kit, serum iron was determined using serum iron ELISA kit. Results show that the average percentage survival was observed to be the highest in Group 5 having 80 percent of flies still alive at day 21. The Survival curve showed a negative correlation curve which shows that as the days increase, survival decreases. Group 1, the control group, exhibited a Ferritin level of 0.42±0.44, while Group 2, treated with aqueous Utazi extract, showed a slightly lower Ferritin level of 0.40±0.00. However, Group 3 (given Utazi extract), Group 4 (administered 5.0 mg Utazi extract), and Group 5 (given 2.5mg and 0.1mg of Utazi extract, respectively) demonstrated significant changes (p <0.001) in Ferritin levels, with Group 4 having the lowest level at 0.22±0.18. there was also highly significant difference (F=128.969, p=0.000*) in Ferritin levels among the group. Iron levels varied significantly among the groups, with Group 3 exhibiting the highest levels (16.18±18.46) and Group 2 the lowest (4.65±0.00). TIBC levels followed a similar trend, with Group 3 having the highest value (38.29±15.43) and Group 2 the lowest (6.33±0.00). The ANOVA analysis for TIBC showed significant differences (F=31.389, p=0.000*) among the groups. In conclusion, the study revealed a decreasing survival rate with increasing number of days that is a negative correlation between the concentration of Utazi leaf extract in the diet and on the survival of Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting potential toxicity at higher concentrations. Additionally, significant alterations in Ferritin, Iron, and Total Iron- Binding Capacity (TIBC) levels among experimental groups was observed, indicating that Utazi leaf extract can influence iron metabolism in fruit flies