Exploring the ameliorative potential of rutin against High-Sucrose Diet-induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Sucrose is a vital ingredient in numerous food items consumed regularly. However, exposure to excessive sucrose for a prolonged period can promote health issues. The reproductive system has a delicate physiology that can be targeted by various chemical stressors, including sucrose. Hence, the present in vivo study aims to unveil the impacts of High-Sucrose Diet (HSD) on the reproductive fitness of Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, the present work has also assessed the protective potential of a bioactive compound, rutin, against it. Here, first instar larvae were exposed to HSD (30 %) alone and in combination with rutin (100–300 µM) till their adult stage. HSD disturbed sex comb morphology in adult males, while fecundity and hatchability of eggs in females. Moreover, HSD triggered gonadal ROS production, oxidative stress, and modulated endogenous antioxidants such as SOD, catalase, and glutathione in both sexes. Nuclear fragmentation and tissue injuries, along with protein and lipid oxidation, were also apparent. Elevated levels of cytosolic Iron suggested an active Fenton reaction in adults. Further, HSD modulated the activities of reproductive and metabolic mediators, including vitellogenin, malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and angiotensin-converting enzymes that are critical to maintain the overall reproductive fitness. Interestingly, co-treatment with rutin, mainly at 200 µM, mitigated these adverse effects and restored reproductive fitness. The protective potential of rutin might be attributed to its ability to normalize redox homeostasis, reduce oxidative stress, and optimize critical enzymes involved in reproductive physiology. These findings suggest that rutin has potential therapeutic implications for counteracting the reproductive hazards induced by HSD. [Display omitted] • Rutin mitigated High Sucrose Diet (30 % HSD)-mediated declined fecundity & egg hatchability in Drosophila melanogaster. • Rutin supplementation alleviated HSD-induced ROS production & tissue damage in testes & ovaries. • Oxidative protein & lipid damage was significantly less in 200 µM rutin-supplimented group than in HSD-treated flies. • HSD modulated antioxidant enzyme activities that were normalized following co-treatment with rutin. • Rutin co-supplementation improved levels of reproductive mediators critical to gametogenesis in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]