Effect of apigenin against Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induced toxicity on Drosophila melanogaster

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used synthetic compound known for its significant environmental and health hazards. It is particularly recognized for disrupting cellular functions by interfering with endocrine activity and inducing oxidative stress. Our previous research established that DEHP causes both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) Bg⁹. The present study explores the protective role of apigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, against DEHP-induced toxicity in the model organism. Apigenin was mixed into the larval diet at concentrations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 µM, alongside 0.02 M DEHP, and administered for 24 h. Our findings revealed that apigenin supplementation significantly reduced gut tissue damage, lowered Hsp70 expression, and decreased both the apoptotic index and DNA damage in third instar larvae exposed to DEHP. Apigenin effectively reduced the elevated activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 induced by Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure. These results highlight apigenin's potential as an effective protective agent against the toxic effects of DEHP.