Evaluation of the Protective Effect of Vitamin B17 Against the Potential UV Damage Using Drosophila as a Model

Amygdalin, or vitamin B17, has attracted attention due to its commercial promotion as an anticancer and immune-boosting agent, despite documented concerns regarding its potential toxicity. To address this controversy, the present study demonstrates the protective effects of vitamin B17 against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a major risk factor for skin cancer, using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Our results showed that vitamin B17 supplementation effectively mitigated the adverse effects of UVR. Flies fed B17-supplemented food prior to UVR exposure displayed markedly higher adult emergence rates, improved climbing ability and shortened developmental time compared to UV-exposed flies on standard food. At the cellular level, B17 supplementation reduced Caspase-3 activation, preserved the structural integrity of compound eyes and mitochondria. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed that vitamin B17 reduced levels of oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde, while simultaneously enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. Overall, these results demonstrate that vitamin B17 protects against UV-induced adverse effects in adult flies, highlighting its potential as a modulator of environmental stressors. However, caution is warranted given its known toxicity profile, which warrants further studies to determine appropriate doses and potential toxicity to other organisms.