Safety Assessment and Antioxidant Enhancing Activity of Polyphenolic-rich Extract of Illicium verum (Star Anise) Fruit in Drosophila melanogaster

Polyphenols are organic compounds found in plants and are beneficial to health. They have great pharmacological properties; however, they can be harmful in high doses. Illicium verum Hook.f ((Schisandraceae), star anise) is an oriental spice used in culinary and therapeutics. It is rich in polyphenols and has been used to manage several diseases, including obesity and diabetes. This study assessed the toxicological effect of the polyphenolic-rich extract of Illicium verum (PEIV) fruit on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). Flies (n = 5 vials; 50 flies/vial) were distributed into five groups based on a graded dose (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/g) of a PEIV-supplemented diet for 21 days. On the 21st day, the flies' behavioural activity (geotaxis test) was assessed for the safety of PEIV on the flies, and thereafter, the whole flies were homogenised for biochemical functions (glucose (GLU), reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiol (TSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE. This study shows that PEIV has no significant effect on the locomotive ability of the flies. Also, when compared with the control, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the levels of GLU, GSH and TSH. In addition, compared with the control, the activities of GST and AChE were not affected. This study suggests that PEIV, at the tested doses, did not affect the behavioural and biochemical parameters in the flies and could be considered safe for therapeutic purposes and human consumption. However, a chronic evaluation study may be considered to confirm the findings of this study.