THE PHENOLIC-RICH FRACTION OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA MODULATED ANTIOXIDANT INDICATORS AND ENHANCED DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER'S LIFESPAN

Abstract

The presence of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits and vegetables is well recognized for their potent preventative effects against age-related disorders, mostly owing to their abundant hydroxyl groups. This study examined the potential enhancement of neuromuscular function and anti-aging effects of a diet supplemented with a fraction rich in polyphenols from Terminalia catappa in Drosophila melanogaster model.  Three-day-old flies of both sexes were supplemented with a diet rich in polyphenols for seven days. Upon establishment of the effective doses, an experiment was performed to assess the impact of the fraction on the lifespan, antioxidant capacity, and the process of aging of the flies. The procedures consist of the lifespan determination assay, the behavioral assay, and the biochemical assay. The study found that D. melanogaster flies that were fed a diet with a phenolics-rich fraction at concentrations of 2.0 mg/g and 4.0 mg/g lived longer and emerged more often than the control group. Additionally, these flies exhibited significantly reduced activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in the experimental flies was also elevated by the fraction-supplemented diet in a concentration-dependent manner. The phenolics derived from T. catappa, exhibited robust biological activities and caused the experiment's discernible changes. The fraction strengthened the flies' antioxidant system by increasing the activities of several phase II antioxidant enzymes in D. melanogaster. The present research provides a better understanding of the wider society's viewpoints on the possible use of plant-derived natural chemicals to avert aging and age-related ailments, thereby enhancing the well-being and standard of living for both animals and humans.