Abstract
Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is an important heavy metal widely regarded as an environmental contaminant. Hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside found in citrus fruits, has an established properties against free radicals, apoptosis, and inflammation. The present study investigated the protective actions of hesperidin on CdCl2-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in Drosophila melanogaster. For 7 consecutive days via their diet regimen, the flies were exposed to CdCl2 alone (0.05 mM) or in combination with hesperidin (50 and 100 μM). Exposure to CdCl2 significantly (p < 0.05) increased mortality rate of flies, whereas the survived flies demonstrated significant oxidative toxicity from decreased activities of catalase and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Total Thiol (T-SH) and Non-Protein Thiols (NPSH) levels as well as accumulation of Nitric Oxide (NO (nitrite/nitrate)), protein carbonyl and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). However, hesperidin-supplemented diet improved Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, mitochondrial metabolic rate (cell viability), locomotor activity, and amelioration of oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation induced by CdCl2. The hesperidin diet supplement boosted the antioxidant milieu and ameliorated the oxidative damage in the treated flies. Overall, the findings revealed that hesperidin improved antioxidative protective capacity in Drosophila melanogaster model of CdCl2-induced toxicity. This suggests hesperidin as a potential therapeutic agent against oxidative stress disorders due to exposure to CdCl2 and or related toxicants.
