Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) Attenuates Sucrose-Induced Oxidative Stress in <I>Drosophila melanogaster</I> (Fruit Flies)

Abstract

Vitamins are micronutrients that the body needs to function normally. Every vitamin has unique physicochemical characteristics and a distinct function in sustaining life, yet they may also share traits like antioxidant activity. This study evaluated the impact of cyanocobalamin doses (5 and 10 mM) on antioxidant status in sucrose-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. 200 Drosophila flies were divided into four groups. Each group was made up of 50 Drosophila flies. The first group served as the control, the second group was given 30 % sucrose only, the third group received 30 % sucrose plus 5 mM of cyanocobalamin and the fourth group was given 30% sucrose plus 10 mM cyanocobalamin orally, for 14 days. The findings showed that cyanocobalamin maintained the longevity and survival rate of the flies. Also, cyanocobalamin reversed the reduced activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the stressed fruit flies. Treatment with cyanocobalamin increased the levels of total thiols, reduced glutathione levels to normal, and reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive species. Cyanocobalamin at 10 mM attenuated the effect of sucrose induced oxidative stress compared to other concentrations used demonstrating its antioxidant potential across all measured parameters. These findings suggest that cyanocobalamin supplementation could play a therapeutic role in managing diseases associated with oxidative stress.