Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2001-07-01

Antioxidant activity of Fraxetin: in vivo and ex vivo parameters in normal situation versus induced stress.

B Fernandez-Puntero, I Barroso, I Iglesias, J Benedí, A Villar

Index: Biol. Pharm. Bull. 24(7) , 777-84, (2001)

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Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study the influence of Fraxetin (7,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxv coumarin) treatment in a Drosophila melanogaster experimental model, analyzing several parameters in normal situations and instances of induced oxidative stress. Fraxetin treatment was introduced at different ages. Antigravity capacity and survival parameters were evaluated as in vivo assays, and levels of oxidative status, glutathione and lipid peroxidation, as ex vivo assays. The stress situation was induced by negative geotaxis, so physical exercise enhanced its basal metabolism, generating free radicals, which are probably implicated in the molecular damage related to the aging process. In our study, all treatment groups demonstrated a beneficial effect on the evaluated parameters. So, in vivo Fraxetin protects fruit flies against oxidative stress and improves the survival parameters. Moreover, Fraxetin prevents oxidative stress by an important increase in antioxidant reserves of GSH, and peroxidative damage is preserved by Fraxetin treatments.