Organ-Dependent Antioxidant, Redox-Modulating, and Lifespan Effects of Galanthus elwesii Extracts in Drosophila melanogaster .

Abstract

Galanthus elwesii is a pharmaceutically valuable Amaryllidaceae species known for its diverse bioactive metabolites; however, the relationship between its phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and in vivo biological effects remains poorly understood. In this study, aerial (APE) and belowground (BPE) parts were extracted using water, methanol, and ethanol, and evaluated through a combined in vitro and in vivo approach. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified, and antioxidant activities were assessed via DPPH radical-scavenging and Fe 2+ metal-chelation assays, including IC 50 determination. The in vivo effects of selected extracts were investigated in Drosophila melanogaster through larval toxicity and developmental survival assays, adult lifespan analysis, and oxidative stress biomarkers (TAS, TOS, and OSI). Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity exhibited strong organ- and solvent-dependent variability, with belowground extracts generally demonstrating higher phenolic content and stronger radical-scavenging and metal-chelating capacities. In vivo, most extracts showed low-to-moderate developmental toxicity at selected concentrations, while certain belowground extracts significantly extended lifespan at subtoxic doses. Oxidative status measurements revealed reduced TOS and OSI levels alongside maintained or increased TAS, indicating effective suppression of oxidative stress rather than direct antioxidant action. Correlation analysis revealed moderate negative correlations between phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant activity, although these relationships did not reach statistical significance. Overall, these findings suggest that G. elwesii extracts exert organ-dependent phytochemical and bioactivity profiles and may act as in vivo redox modulators associated with improvements in oxidative balance and lifespan-related parameters.