Luteolin-Supplemented diets ameliorates Bisphenol A-Induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used in the production of various plastic materials. It is associated with reproductive, immunological and neurological disorders. Luteolin, a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, possesses anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. Here, we carried out studies to ascertain if Luteolin would ameliorate BPA-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Firstly, flies were treated separately with Luteolin (0, 50, 100, 150 and 300 mg/kg diet) and BPA (0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mM) for 28 days survival assessments. Consequently, Luteolin (150 and 300 mg/kg diet) and/or BPA (0.05 mM) were exposed to D. melanogaster for 7 days for the evaluation of nitric oxide level, eclosion rate, viability assay, histology of fat body, antioxidant (Glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and total thiol), oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) and behavioural (negative geotaxis and acetylcholinesterase) markers. The results showed that BPA induced antioxidant-oxidative stress imbalance and behavioural deficit in flies. Luteolin increased survival rate and augmented antioxidant markers in flies. Importantly, Luteolin ameliorated BPA-induced degeneration in the fat body around the rostral, thorax and abdominal regions, oxidative stress, behavioural deficit, reduction in cell viability and eclosion rate of D. melanogaster (p < 0.05). Overall, this study offered further insights on the antioxidative and chemopreventive properties of Luteolin against BPA-induced toxicity.

Keywords: Bisphenol A; Chemoprotection; Drosophila melanogaster; Luteolin; Oxidative stress.