Antioxidant and Pro-oxidant properties of naringenin: Unveiling the biphasic impacts on model, Drosophila melanogaster

• Naringenin has exhibited a biphasic response in Drosophila melanogaster . • Naringenin at various concentrations affected physical activities. • Naringenin induced concentration dependent injuries in alimentary tracts. • Naringenin exhibited concentrations-dependent prooxidant and antioxidant properties. • CYP1A1 and GST activities were modulated following treatment with naringenin. Naringenin is a dietary flavonoid that has health-promoting benefits. However, studies demonstrating the concentration-dependent effects of naringenin are still lacking. Hence, the present study unveiled the concentration-dependent biological effects of naringenin on the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster . A comprehensive approach was employed to assess the effects of naringenin on physical fitness, stress enzymes, detoxification mediators, cell viability, and nuclear orientation in treated individuals. The results showed a hormetic response, where low concentrations of naringenin (300–500 µM) improved crawling and climbing activities, while high concentrations (700–800 µM) reduced physical performance and induced oxidative stress. Naringenin exposure also modulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes, with low concentrations reducing the enzyme activities while high concentrations increasing their catalytic functions. Furthermore, high concentrations of naringenin caused tissue damage, reduced cell viability, and induced oxidative damage. The study suggests that naringenin plays a dual role, with low concentrations exhibiting beneficial effects and high concentrations generating adverse outcomes. These findings have implications for understanding the biological effects of naringenin and its potential applications in humans, where direct experimentation is challenging. The study provides a foundation for further research to dissect the therapeutic potential and safety of naringenin in humans.