Antioxidant response and neurotransmitter modulation driven by oleuropein/alpha-lipoic acid attenuates lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
- 2Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
- 3Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State Nigeria
- 4Department of Agronomy, Osun State University, Ejigbo campus, Ejigbo, Osun State Nigeria
- 5Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
Abstract
Lead is a ubiquitous environmental and industrial toxicant known to cause reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity via the induction of oxidative damage and modulation of neurotransmitters. On the other hand, oleuropein and alpha-lipoic acid have independently been reported to demonstrate antioxidant and neurotransmitter modulatory activities. Here, we evaluated the protective role of oleuropein/alpha lipoic acid in lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. A 7-day survival analysis was carried out, and subsequently, flies were exposed to vehicle, lead acetate (20 mg/kg diet), and/or oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid (0.1 mg/kg diet) for 7 days. Oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid restored lead-induced weight loss and suppression of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, as well as elevated malondialdehyde contents. In addition, oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid ameliorated lead-induced increases in acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities and reductions in acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin in flies. Additionally, lead-induced disruption of climbing activity, courtship and mating latencies, mating duration, copulation success rate, and emergence rate were ameliorated by oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid in D. melanogaster. Overall, oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid attenuated lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in D. melanogaster. Thus, oleuropein/alpha lipoic acid is a promising candidate for further investigation against lead-induced toxicity.
Related
- Ultrastructural Signatures of Amikacin Neurotoxicity and the Protective Modulation of Memantine in Peripheral Nerves: A Transmission Electron Microscopy Exploration in Wistar Rats
- Neuroplasticity Biomarkers and Neurotransmitter Modulation in Post-Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review
- TPPU, a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, mitigates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity via dual modulation of mitochondrial stabilization and JNK suppression.
- Dietary chlorogenic acid improves sperm kinematics in aging breeder roosters via modulation of the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathway
- PLATELET-RICH PLASMA FOR ENDOMETRIAL MODULATION IN INFERTILE WOMEN UNDERGOING ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A SCOPING REVIEW
BibTeX
@article{ashamu2026antioxidant,
title = {{Antioxidant response and neurotransmitter modulation driven by oleuropein/alpha-lipoic acid attenuates lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster}},
author = {Ebenezer Adeola Ashamu and Favour Eyitayo Akande and Kaosarat Ajoke Oyekan and Rhoda Opeyemi Fakunle and Kamilah Oluwamayokun Adigun and Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe and Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola and Blessing Monica Akindele and Julius Kola Oloke and Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe},
journal = {BMC Pharmacology \& Toxicology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s40360-026-01193-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-026-01193-1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Antioxidant response and neurotransmitter modulation driven by oleuropein/alpha-lipoic acid attenuates lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
AU - Ebenezer Adeola Ashamu
AU - Favour Eyitayo Akande
AU - Kaosarat Ajoke Oyekan
AU - Rhoda Opeyemi Fakunle
AU - Kamilah Oluwamayokun Adigun
AU - Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe
AU - Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola
AU - Blessing Monica Akindele
AU - Julius Kola Oloke
AU - Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology
DO - 10.1186/s40360-026-01193-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-026-01193-1
AB - Lead is a ubiquitous environmental and industrial toxicant known to cause reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity via the induction of oxidative damage and modulation of neurotransmitters. On the other hand, oleuropein and alpha-lipoic acid have independently been reported to demonstrate antioxidant and neurotransmitter modulatory activities. Here, we evaluated the protective role of oleuropein/alpha lipoic acid in lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. A 7-day survival analysis was carried out, and subsequently, flies were exposed to vehicle, lead acetate (20 mg/kg diet), and/or oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid (0.1 mg/kg diet) for 7 days. Oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid restored lead-induced weight loss and suppression of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, as well as elevated malondialdehyde contents. In addition, oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid ameliorated lead-induced increases in acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities and reductions in acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin in flies. Additionally, lead-induced disruption of climbing activity, courtship and mating latencies, mating duration, copulation success rate, and emergence rate were ameliorated by oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid in D. melanogaster. Overall, oleuropein and alpha lipoic acid attenuated lead-induced reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in D. melanogaster. Thus, oleuropein/alpha lipoic acid is a promising candidate for further investigation against lead-induced toxicity.
SN - 2050-6511
ER -