Impact of Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel (Rutaceae) extracts on lifespan and oxidative stress markers in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera)

The free radicals (ROS and RNS) damage to proteins, DNA, lipids of the cell. These free radicals creates the imbalance in physiological functions and acts as a prevalent cause of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, aging, oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome by dysfunction of antioxidant enzyme system of cell. Using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera) as a model we examined the antioxidant properties of Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel (Rutaceae) on the life history parameters. We demonstrate a novel physiological interaction between free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme system by using extracts of M. koenigii in standard diet of the fly. This study describes how this interaction impacts a very early cellular defect associated with ageing and ageing associate diseases. We also describe progressive deficits in flies expressing the superoxide dismutase gene, catalase and lipid peroxidation. Collectively, our work demonstrates that Drosophila can be used to study the cellular, physiological and behavioral basis of human ageing related diseases.