Protective effects of apigenin against methyl methanesulfonate induced hsp70 expression in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70- lacZ)Bg 9

A transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line expressing bacterial b-galactosidase as a response to stress was used in this study.[6] The flies and larvae were cultured on standard Drosophila food containing agar, cornmeal, sugar, and yeast at 24°C. MMS at 0.5 and 1.0 ml/ml of food concentration alone and along with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 ml/ml of apigenin were established. The third instar larvae were allowed to feed on them for different time intervals (12, 24, and 48 h). For quantifying the β-galactosidase activity, the method as described by Nazir et al. was followed.[6] The extent of tissue damage in larvae exposed to different concentrations of MMS alone and along with apigenin was assayed by a dye exclusion test.[6] Statistical analysis was carried out by Student’s ‘t’-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.