Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp-Derived Procyanidins Mitigated Ecotoxicant-Induced Neurotoxicity in Drosophila

Mohammed, Jaafaru Sani; Kheder, Ramiar Kamal; Faraj, Tola Abdulsatar; Kayfi, Soran; Altrijman, Louna

doi:10.24271/psr.2026.546417.2353

Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp-Derived Procyanidins Mitigated Ecotoxicant-Induced Neurotoxicity in Drosophila

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Jaafaru Sani Mohammed ¹

Ramiar Kamal Kheder ²

Tola Abdulsatar Faraj ³

Soran Kayfi

Louna Altrijman ⁴

¹ Medical Analysis Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq.

² Medical Laboratory Science Department, College of Science, University of Raparin, Rania, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq.

³ Department of Physiology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

⁴ Pharmacy Department, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq.

10.24271/psr.2026.546417.2353

Abstract

Nervous systems experience negative impacts of environmental toxicants such as heavy metals in all forms, leading to cognitive impairment with consequent death. This study examined the rescue role of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp (ADFP) derived procyanidins against copper oxide (Cu2+)-induced neurotoxicity. Three to four-day-old flies of both sexes were used to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the procyanidin-rich fraction of ADFP. Flies were exposed to copper oxide for seven days, followed by ADFP procyanidins-rich fraction administration. Longevity, behavioral, and biochemical assays were carried out to ascertain the antioxidative and neuroprotective activities of the fraction. A decrease in survival rate in the flies fed with Cu2+ only was observed, compared to the control groups. The reduction in the activity of studied enzymes, dopamine, and total thiol levels was observed in the Cu2+-exposed flies, with concomitant increase in nitric oxide and H2O2 levels. Procyanidin administration to the flies prior to Cu2+ exposure improved their emergence rate, survival rate, and locomotor function, by hindering the noxious effect of Cu2+ on the experimental flies. Procyanidins protected the flies against Cu2+ neurotoxicity as evidenced by behavioral assay and redox status results, suggesting that ADFP holds protection potential against the neurotoxic effect of ecotoxicological agents.

Keywords

Adansonia digitata

Drosophila melanogaster

Neurotoxicity

Oxidative stress markers

procyanidins