Effect of Chlorella vulgaris extract on high sucrose diet-induced diabetes in Drosophila melanogaster

Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris is a microscopic green algae that has known potential as a source of food and medicine (functional food). However, the pharmacological capacity of this microalgae species against disease due to metabolic disorders is still not understood. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effect of C. vulgaris extract on animal models of Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) which are fed high-sucrose diet (HSD). Wild type Drosophila was used in this study for 7 days of observation. Drosophila was divided into four groups consisting of the first group that was not treated as a control. The second group was treated with HSD (30%), the third group was treated with C. vulgaris extract (120 g/L) and the fourth group was treated with double treatment (HSD and C. vulgaris extract). The parameters observed included fecundity, hatchability, hemolymph glucose and triglyceride levels. The results showed that the extract of C. vulgaris was able to reduce the negative effects of giving HSD. The single treatment of C. vulgaris extract and double treatment between C. vulgaris extract and HSD significantly decreased levels of hemolymph glucose, triglycerides of Drosophila, while the parameters of fecundity and hatchability were significantly increased when compared to Drosophila which only received HSD treatment. The conclusion of this study is that C. vulgaris extract can be used as an antihyperglycemic agent which requires further study to prove the results that have been obtained.