Phytochemical and ameliorative effects of Peanut skin ethanol extract against Lead toxicity in Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract

The processing byproduct, peanut skin is a hub of antioxidant compounds such as phenol and flavonoids and vital metal chelators including Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Adverse exposures to heavy metals like Pb²⁺ could cause oxidative stress, inflammation and neurological and reproductive disorders. This research aimed to study the phytochemical profile and the rescue effects of peanut skin ethanol extract against lead acetate-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. Phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, Methyl palmitate, Ethyl palmitate, Methyl linoleate, Ethyl linoleate, Methyl oleate, Methyl stearates, 156.15mg/g total phenol and 124.83mg/g total flavonoids were detected by phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis. Peanut skin extract from 31.25μg/ml -500μg/ml exhibited a dose-dependent scavenging activity against DPPH and H₂O₂ radicals at nearly equal strength compared to the standard vitamin C. Lead acetate-treated flies had reduced activities of AChE, SOD, and GPx with concomitant increases in NO and MDA concentrations. This was ameliorated by cotreatment with peanut skin extract or resveratrol through elevation of AChE and SOD, normalization of GPx activities and a corresponding decrease in NO and MDA productions. GSH activity was not significantly affected by lead or the co-treatment with peanut skin extract or resveratrol. Thus, this study revealed that peanut skin ethanol extract could be a source of intervention for prevention and treatment of oxidative stress and inflammation related to lead toxicity.