Genotoxic Effects of Aristolochia albida Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

This study investigated the toxicological effects of Aristolochia albida extracts using antioxidant defence assays and the Drosophila Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) assay. For acute toxicity, adult Drosophila melanogaster was exposed to A. albida extracts at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL, with mortality recorded over 7 days. In the 28 day treatment, flies were fed extracts at 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL, and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione) were measured. For the SMART assay, Drosophila larvae were exposed to A. albida extracts at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL. The adult flies were analysed to evaluate genotoxicity through the wing spot formation. The LC₅₀ was determined to be 128.5 µg/mL. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione) significantly increased, indicating an oxidative stress response. The SMART assay revealed genotoxic effects with a higher frequency of wing spots in treated groups compared to controls. These results suggest that A. albida exposure exerts toxic effects on Drosophila flies by inducing oxidative stress and mutations.