| Abstrakt: |
The use of synthetic dye as food colorant has gained popularity despite the known toxicity of such compounds. Tartrazine is a synthetic azo dye used primarily as an additive in many foods; however, neurotoxicity is one of its prominent effects in humans. Quercetin and ferulic acid are polyphenolic compounds ubiquitously distributed in fruits and vegetables, with a well-documented modulatory effect on neurotoxicity. This study thus evaluated the effect of quercetin and ferulic acid on tartrazine-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Wild-type (Harwich strain) Drosophila melanogaster flies, 3–5 days old (male), were divided into six groups containing 40 flies per replicate: group 1 (Control) was fed with basal diet, group 2: flies fed with dietary inclusion of 0.005 mg/g tartrazine, group 3: flies fed with dietary inclusion of 0.005 mg/g tartrazine + 0.05 mg/g ferulic acid, group 4: flies fed with dietary inclusion of 0.005 mg/g tartrazine + 0.5 mg/g ferulic acid, group 5: flies fed with dietary inclusions of 0.005 mg/g tartrazine + 0.05 mg/g quercetin, and group 6: flies fed with dietary inclusions of 0.005 mg/g tartrazine + 0.5 mg/g quercetin for 7 days. Survival, mortality, and negative geotaxis assay were carried out to assess the behavioral profiles of the flies. Thereafter, fly homogenates were assayed for neurochemical indices, antioxidant enzyme activities, and other redox status indices. The results revealed that the quercetin and ferulic acid significantly improved the behavioral indices, ameliorate oxidative stress, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, and restored neurochemical parameters in the treated flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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