Dietary Rutin Mitigates High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Organismal, Cellular, and Biochemical Hazards in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>

Sucrose is an important ingredient in numerous food items across the globe. However, long-term exposure to a High-Sucrose Diet (HSD) can fuel several health issues. Hence, it is essential to investigate therapeutic agents that could be effective in minimizing HSD-induced adverse effects. The present study aims to dissect the protective potential of a bioactive compound, rutin, against HSD-mediated effects on the behavioral, cellular, and biochemical parameters of a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. For the study, first instar larvae were exposed to various treatment foods containing 30% HSD alone and in combination with graded concentrations of rutin (100–300 μM). In results, exposure to HSD enhanced the free glucose content and cytotoxicity in treated larvae. Growth and development were apparently disturbed in HSD-fed individuals. Moreover, chronic exposure to HSD was associated with altered embedding behavior and photosensitivity. The study was extended to the biochemical level, where treatment with HSD enhanced free iron contents and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production that indicated activation of the Fenton reaction in the subcellular environment. In addition, HSD declined the activities of metabolic enzymes, viz., glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme. Interestingly, cotreatment with 150, 200, and 250 μM rutin significantly lessened HSD-mediated adverse effects on organismal, behavioral, cellular, and biochemical features of D. melanogaster.