Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Antidiarrheal Research with the Drosophila Model
Published on: November 17, 2023
Chronic Consumption of Moringa Leaf Powder (Moringa oleifera) Concentration-Dependent Effects in a Drosophila
Norma A Lopez-Rodriguez1, Laura K Sanchez-Ortiz1, Rosalía Reynoso-Camacho1
1Programa de Posgrado en Alimentos del Centro de la República, Research and Graduate Studies in Food Science, School of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro, Mexico.
Objective:
The metabolic effects of chronic consumption of food laced with different doses of moringa leaf powder (MLP) were assessed using a heteroallelic mutant of the sole insulin receptor gene of Drosophila melanogaster (InR), and the yellow,white (y,w) control stock.
Methods:
The MLP composition was partially determined. Both strains were raised in a standard diet (SD) or in a SD supplemented with different MLP doses (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, and 5.5%) until 4-5 days of emergence. Afterward, the total carbohydrate, lipid, glucose, and triacylglyceride levels were measured in the flies. Additionally, survival and weight changes were reported. For metabolic tests, female and male virgin flies were evaluated separately.
Results:
Low MLP supplementation improved carbohydrate and glucose levels in the y,w strain. Additionally, the InR-mutant strain reported lower lipid content when subjected to the same regimes. Survival improved in both strains with low MLP doses, while chronic consumption of high MLP doses resulted in triacylglycerides increase, weight gain, and survival reduction.
Conclusion:
Low doses of MLP supplementation improves some metabolic parameters that affect flies' survival, especially in the y,w strain. Furthermore, the same low doses of MLP treatments also resulted in metabolic improvements in the InR-mutant flies; however, MLP consumption levels should be carefully assessed.
Abstract:
Supplemental data for this article is available online at.
Insights
Moringa leaf powder (MLP) at low doses improved metabolic health and survival in fruit flies. However, high doses of MLP led to negative effects, indicating a need for careful dosage assessment.
Area of Science:
- * Metabolic research
- * Nutritional science
- * Genetics and toxicology
Background:
- * The insulin receptor (InR) plays a crucial role in metabolic regulation.
- * Moringa leaf powder (MLP) is recognized for its potential health benefits.
- * Understanding the dose-dependent effects of MLP on metabolism is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the metabolic effects of varying doses of MLP in Drosophila melanogaster.
- * To assess MLP's impact on carbohydrate, lipid, glucose, and triacylglyceride levels.
- * To evaluate MLP's influence on fly survival and weight changes.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized Drosophila melanogaster strains: a wild-type (y,w) and an insulin receptor mutant (InR).
- * Flies were fed standard diets supplemented with 0.5% to 5.5% MLP.
- * Measured key metabolic parameters, including carbohydrate, lipid, glucose, and triacylglyceride levels, alongside survival and weight.
Main Results:
- * Low MLP doses improved carbohydrate and glucose levels in the wild-type strain.
- * The InR-mutant strain showed reduced lipid content with MLP supplementation.
- * High MLP doses led to increased triacylglycerides, weight gain, and reduced survival in both strains.
Conclusions:
- * Low-dose MLP supplementation positively impacts metabolic parameters and survival in fruit flies.
- * Both wild-type and InR-mutant flies benefit from low MLP doses, but careful assessment of consumption levels is crucial.
- * High MLP doses can induce adverse metabolic effects, underscoring the importance of dosage.
