Effects of Cyanidin-3-Glucoside on the Lifespan of Drosophila Melanogaster Under Stress and Non-Stress Conditions

Abstract

Anthocyanins have garnered considerable attention over the past years for their diverse physiological benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, studies regarding its impact on lifespan, particularly in model organisms under different stress conditions remain limited. This study aimed to assess the influence of Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G)—an abundant anthocyanin found in common dietary plants—on the lifespan of D. melanogaster subjected to stressors such as energy-deprivation and heat stress, compared to non-stress conditions. Results of the study have shown that C3G increased the lifespan of flies under non-stress and heat stress conditions likely due to antioxidant activity and upregulation of heat shock proteins. Under energy-deprived conditions, lifespan extension was only observed in low doses of C3G, while middle and high doses resulted in decreased lifespan possibly due to decreased basal metabolic rate and subsequent accumulation of C3G to toxic levels. Differences in sex also had no significant interaction effect with the lifespan modulation of C3G on flies subjected to both stress and non-stress conditions.