Antioxidant effects of resveratrol against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797)

Abstract Background Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant. In the present scenario, knowingly and unknowingly, exposure to physical (UV radiation), chemical pollutants and toxicants triggers the excess production of ROS leading to an imbalance in the antioxidants, resulting in deleterious effects on biological systems. Plant-derived polyphenols, including resveratrol, possess potent antioxidant properties and may mitigate the impact of ROS, thereby protecting cells from oxidative damage. In this study, oxidative stress was induced in 4th instar larvae of Tribolium castaneum using a sub-lethal acute toxicity (LC 20 − 155 µl) of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for 24 h. Following exposure, the larvae were topically post-treated with resveratrol (1 mM) for 24 h. The protective effects of resveratrol against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress were evaluated through the assessment of enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx and GST) and non-enzymatic (GSH and Vitamin C) antioxidant levels in the organism. Results The total protein content and the activities of first-line antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) were significantly reduced in H 2 O 2 -exposed larvae compared with the control group. Post-treatment with resveratrol (1 mM) significantly increased total protein level and antioxidant enzyme activities relative to H 2 O 2 -exposed larvae at 48 h. Levels of second-line antioxidant defenses, including GSH, GST and vitamin C, were increased in H 2 O 2 -exposed larvae compared with the control group. Resveratrol treatment significantly elevated GST activity and GSH levels compared with the H 2 O 2 -exposed group. In contrast, vitamin C levels showed a slight decrease in the resveratrol-treated larvae at 48 h, however, this was reduction was not statistically significant. Conclusion The present findings reveal that resveratrol reactivates the first-line defense antioxidant system (SOD, CAT and GPx), which was declined in the H 2 O 2 -exposed larvae of T. castaneum at 48 h. Second-line antioxidants (GST, GSH and vitamin C) were elevated in H 2 O 2 -exposed larvae and further enhanced following resveratrol treatment, suggesting antioxidant effects of resveratrol attenuate the ROS, and prevent deleterious effects in the biological system. Further studies are required at the molecular gene expression level to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of resveratrol in the model organism.