Biology subjects

Abdulazeez, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Abdulazeez, R..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Momordica charantia Prevents Reproductive and Neurological Dysfunctions in Drosophila melanogaster Models of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) poses a significant global health threat, compounded by factors such as obesity and lifestyle. This study investigates the anti-diabetic, reproductive, and neuroprotective effects of Momordica charantia (MC) in preventing T2DM. We used a high-calorie sucrose diet (2.5 g/10 g diet) to induce T2DM in Harwich and Indigenous strains of Drosophila melanogaster. Concurrently, we administered varying concentrations of MC (100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg/10 g diet) and 16 mg of metformin for 10 days. M. charantia significantly improved egg-laying ability in Indigenous and Harwich strains. Specifically, 150 mg and 200 mg doses significantly (p<0.01) enhanced egg-laying ability in Indigenous and Harwich strains, respectively. Additionally, 100 mg and 200 mg doses significantly rescued filial generation output in Harwich and Indigenous strains, respectively. M. charantia at the lowest dose (100 mg) reduced neuromuscular activity (p < 0.01) in both strains. Our results demonstrate that M. charantia prevents the onset of T2DM, improving reproductive fitness and reducing neuromuscular impairments associated with hyperglycemia. These findings suggest that M. charantia may be a promising therapeutic agent for preventing T2DM and its associated complications.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Molecular mechanisms of anti-diabetes effects of Mormodica charantia L. Ethanolic leaf extract on type 2 diabetes in strains of Drosophila melanogaster meigen, 1838

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity and poor glucose utilization. This study examined the anti-diabetic potential and molecular mechanisms of Mormodica charantia (MC) ethanolic leaf extract in strains of Drosophila melanogaster. T2D was induced using a high sucrose diet (2.5 g/10 g), followed by co-administration of M. charantia (MC) extract (100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg) and 16 mg of metformin for ten days. MC at 200 mg significantly improved eclosion rates and starvation resistance in the Harwich strain, while 150 mg showed the strongest hypoglycemic effect in the indigenous NgD3 strain. The extract alleviated heat stress and reversed sucrose-induced Malpighian tubule dysfunction, (p<0.001), which elevated creatinine (1.92 mg/dl and 1.59 mg/dl) both sexes and sodium levels (1.67 mg/dl), particularly in male flies. At 150 mg, effectively reduced creatinine and urea levels (1.68 {micro}/l). The 100 mg increased ALP levels (9.09 {micro}/l). At 200mg, M. charantia, significantly upregulated CG4607 expression (0.5656) in Harwich strain, while causing a significant downregulation (-5.79586) in NgD3 strain. Squalene demonstrated the highest binding affinity (-7.5 kcal/mol). Single Nucleotide Polymorphism analysis revealed strain-specific genetic responses, and phylogenetic analysis showed three distinct clusters. These findings suggest MC extract modulates physiological and molecular responses in insulin-resistant Drosophila, highlighting its potential as a plant-based anti-diabetic therapy.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

THE MITIGATING EFFECTS OF CO- ADMINISTRATION OF RESVERATROL ON BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF LEAD-POISONED ADULT DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Lead toxicity poses a significant environmental concern linked to diverse health issues, including cognitive impairments, behavioral abnormalities, reproductive defects, and oxidative stress at the cellular level. This study explores the potential mitigating effects of resveratrol on lead-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Adult D. melanogaster of the Harwich strain, aged three days, were orally exposed to lead (60 mg/L), Succimer (10 mg/kg), and varying doses of resveratrol (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg). The investigation encompassed the assessment of selected biological parameters, biochemical markers (ALP, AST, TB, CB, Na, Ca, Ur, Cr), oxidative stress indicators (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). Resveratrol exhibited a dose-dependent enhancement of egg-laying, eclosion rate, filial generation output, locomotor activity, and life span in D. melanogaster, significantly to 150 mg/kg of diet. Most of the investigated biochemical parameters showed significant rescue in lead-exposed fruit flies when co-treated with resveratrol (p < 0.05). However, oxidative stress, as indicated by MDA levels, remained unaffected by resveratrol in this study. The findings suggest that resveratrol effectively protects against lead toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster and may hold therapeutic potential as an agent for managing lead poisoning in humans.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2022

Simple Models For Neuroscience Research Discoveries: How Often Are These Models Used In Africa

Simple animal model systems such as Drosophila, Zebrafish, and C. Elegans have enabled numerous breakthroughs in understanding human health and disease. Their conserved biological processes, ever-expanding established procedures for handling, and amenability for molecular and genetic manipulation, in addition to the minimal ethical concerns, have made these models preferred choices in several life science disciplines globally. Owing to their cheap maintenance cost, adopting these model systems will help bridge the research gap between Africa and the Global North and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in African universities through practical sessions. However, the extent to which these models are used across Africa is unknown. Here, we analysed the use of Drosophila, Zebrafish, and C. elegans model systems in scientific publications from African laboratories from the year 2000 to 2021. Of 1851 PubMed-indexed publications in which at least one simple animal model was mentioned, 168 used at least one of these models for the actual investigation. With an average of 21 articles per country, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia contributed 75% of these studies. The remaining 25% were contributed by seven other countries at 2-7 articles per country. From here, we extracted and analysed information on funding and international collaboration. This revealed that 24.4 % of the studies were exclusively funded locally, 28.57 % exclusively funded internationally, 15.5% received both local and international funding, and the rest (31.5%) were unfunded, revealing that there is satisfactory access to funds for simple animal model studies, especially from external funders. By analysing the pattern of collaborations, we show that most of these studies had international collaborations, while very few collaborated within Africa. Our work provides data on the current state of research using simple model systems in African laboratories and argues that incorporating these models will advance biomedical science research in Africa.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Variation in mutation, recombination, and transposition rates in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans

Mutation, recombination, and transposition occurring during meiosis provide the variation on which natural selection can act and the rates at which they occur are important parameters in models of evolution. The de novo mutation rate determines levels of genetic diversity, responses to ongoing selection, and levels of genetic load. Recombination breaks up haplotypes and reduces the effects of linkage, helping to spread beneficial alleles and purge deleterious ones. Transposable elements (TE) selfishly replicate themselves through the genome, imposing fitness costs on the host and introducing complex mutations that can affect gene expression and give rise to new genes. However, even for key evolutionary models such as Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans few estimates of these parameters are available, and we have little idea of how rates vary between individuals, sexes, populations, or species. Here, we provide direct estimates of mutation, recombination, and transposition rates and their variation in a West African and a European population of D. melanogaster and a European population of D. simulans. Across 89 flies, we observe 58 single nucleotide mutations, 286 crossovers, and 89 TE insertions. Compared to the European D. melanogaster, we find the West African population has a lower mutation rate (1.67 vs. 4.86 x 10-9 site-1 gen-1) and transposition rate (8.99 vs. 23.36 x 10-5 copy-1 gen-1), but a higher recombination rate (3.44 vs. 2.06 cM/Mb). The European D. simulans population has a similar mutation rate to European D. melanogaster but a significantly higher recombination rate and a lower but not significantly different transposition rate. Overall, we find paternal-derived mutations are more frequent than maternal ones in both species. HighlightsO_LIDe novo mutation rates are 1.67 x 10-9 site-1 gen-1 (95% HPD CI: 0.54 - 3.14 x 10-9), 4.86 x 10-9 site-1 gen-1 (2.11 - 8.02 x 10-9), and 4.51 x 10-9 site-1 gen-1 (1.94 - 7.75 x 10-9) for the West African D. melanogaster, the European D. melanogaster and the European D. simulans population, respectively. C_LIO_LIIn females, recombination rates in the absence of large genomic inversions are 3.44 cM/Mb (2.72 - 4.18), 2.06 cM/Mb (1.57 - 2.57), and 3.04 cM/Mb (2.45 - 3.73) for the three populations, respectively. There was no strong evidence of recombination observed in males. C_LIO_LIMutations (SNMs and indels) are male-biased. C_LIO_LIThe West African D. melanogaster population has a lower TE activity than the other populations and CMC-Transib is the dominant active TE. The European D. melanogaster population has multiple active TEs: Gypsy, CMC-Transib, Pao, Jockey and hAT-hobo; while in European D. simulans, they are Gypsy, CMC-Transib, Pao, hAT-hobo, Copia and TcMar-Mariner. C_LI

evolutionary biology↗