Exploring the anti-diabetic potential of Ulva lactuca flavonoids in a Drosophila model

Aims

The study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of Ulva lactuca crude flavonoids by assessing their effects on external morphology and hemolymph glucose concentrations in Drosophila melanogaster under various dietary conditions, including a high-sugar diet.

Methods

Four dietary conditions were tested in D. melanogaster to assess the effects of U. lactuca crude flavonoids: control diet, high-sugar diet, high-sugar with standard diet, and diets with flavonoid concentrations (0.1M, 0.2M, 0.3M). External morphology and hemolymph glucose concentrations were evaluated.

Results

Hemolymph glucose concentrations were found 0.045 mg/mL in the high-sugar group and 0.054 mg/mL in the sugar-with-standard diet group, compared to 0.016 mg/mL in control flies. Flavonoid treatments reduced glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner, with 0.1M, 0.2M, and 0.3M flavonoid concentrations lowering glucose to 0.038 mg/mL, 0.035 mg/mL, and 0.017 mg/mL, respectively. The highest concentration (0.3M) nearly restored glucose levels to those of the control, along with a significant decrease in both abdominal width (0.87 ± 0.03 mm) and body weight (1.27 ± 0.04 mg).

Conclusion

U. lactuca flavonoids effectively reduced glucose levels and mitigated obesity in sugar-treated D. melanogaster, suggesting their potential as safe dietary interventions for metabolic disorders like diabetes.