EFFECT OF FORCED EXERCISE (TAP STRESS) ON DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER AND EFFICACY OF ABHRAK BHASMA AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT.

 Objective: Generation of reactive oxygen species and other oxidants as an outcome of aerobic respiration has been well documented. During boosted muscular activities/exercise, there is an increase in the rate of respiration and subsequent generation of oxidants; for which, organisms possess various defense systems. There is, however, paucity of reports on the effect of forced exercise in Drosophila melanogaster.Methods: The present investigation reports a method for inducing forced exercise, the tap stress,†in D. melanogaster. This method takes advantage of the natural tendency of Drosophila flies to climb/fly upward in a cylindrical tube. Simplicity of assembly, ease of experimentation and cost effectiveness are some of the key advantages of this method. Tap stress has been assumed to manifest through the generation of oxidative stress, thus, parameters indicative of oxidative stress have been evaluated.Results: The results indicate that tap stress induces oxidative stress mainly by influencing the non-catalytic components; total reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH: oxidized glutathione ratio, and free radical scavenging capacity. The catalytic components (superoxide dismutase, and catalase), on the contrary, remain largely unaffected. Abhrak bhasma (AB) influences total GSH content with an increase by about 38±21%, while flies on control diet register a decrease in total GSH content by 34±7% during tap stress. Feeding flies on AB, specifically, show a prominent increase in the transcription levels of cap n†collar C, heat shock protein 70 and catalase genes (>1.5 fold).Conclusion: Overall, dietary supplement of AB and ascorbic acid benefits Drosophila flies in the management of oxidative stress induced through tap stress.Â

MODULATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS BY ABHRAK BHASMA IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

 Objective: Management of aging is one of the most actively researched areas in biology. Ayurvedic preparations such as Abhrak Bhasma (AB) have been used for improving longevity and regenerative therapy as well as in treating various ailments. Modes of action of such Ayurvedic preparations are poorly understood at molecular level. Current investigation tests the efficacy of AB in modulating various parameters linked to oxidative stress.Methods: Drosophila melanogaster was used as a model system to test the efficacy of AB in inducing antioxidant machinery. Drosophila flies were fed on diet supplemented with AB at larval and adult stages. Subsequently, various parameters, catalytic as well as non-catalytic, related to antioxidant machinery were analyzed.Results: AB has been found to modulate the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes as well as the total reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Larvae and adults feeding on diet supplemented with AB exhibit significantly lower levels of total GSH content (decrease of about 40–70% for larvae, while 31–36% for adults) and without any conclusive effect on GSH:oxidized glutathione ratio, free radical scavenging capacity, and extent of lipid peroxidation. These larvae and adults fed on diet supplemented with AB also exhibited an increase in the level of transcription of cap n†collar C, heat shock protein 70, and catalase genes (≥1.5 fold, except in few cases).Conclusion: Overall, AB alters various parameters linked to antioxidant machinery in D. melanogaster. The induced components may provide protection to the organism during stressful conditions