The effect of melatonin and minocycline on Drosophila melanogaster subjected to paraquat-induced oxidative stress

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and the ability of a biological system to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Antioxidants remove free radical reactive intermediates and terminate the oxidation chain reactions. Melatonin is a small indole amine, secreted rhythmically with increased synthesis during the dark phase of the lighting cycle. Melatonin is an antioxidant and can detoxify highly reactive oxygen radicals. Minocycline is a broad spectrum, second generation tetracycline antibiotic, reported to possess antioxidant properties with radical scavenging potency. Paraquat is a widely used herbicide, which catalyzes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), more specifically the superoxide free radical. Drosophila melanogaster is a widely used model organism. It is sexually dimorphic with a high fecundity and short generation time. The wild type flies (p generation) were separated into 4 groups and cultured under the stated conditions. The F1 adults of each group were subjected to treatment with the herbicide, Paraquat and the survival rate was determined. Melatonin in isolation was shown to be more effective in reducing the effects of Paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The female flies of each group were also reported to more resilient to stress and also scored higher in the locomotor assays.

Author(s): Sathya M,  Sakthishree K and Rajeshwari V*

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