Effects of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai f. Lutescens Kitag polysaccharide on fertility, longevity and antioxidant capacity of Drosophila melanogaster

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai f. Lutescens Kitag polysaccharide on fertility, longevity and antioxidant capacity of Drosophila melanogaster. The Drosophila melanogaster were randomly divided into five groups. Four generations of Drosophila melanogaster were cultured continuously in basic medium with or without polysaccharides (400, 200, 100 and 50 mg/L). The changes in fertility, lifespan and male-to-female ratio from F-1 to F-4 generation. The survival time under acute oxidative damage caused by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined as welL High dose of V coloratum polysaccharide could significantly improve the fertility and lifespans of Drosophila melanogaster from F-1 to F-4 generation, prolong the survival time under acute oxidative damage. Moreover, the MDA content was decreased sharply, while the activities of SOD and CAT were increased in high group. However, the male-to-female ratio was overall close to 1:1 for Fl to F4 generations among the four groups. V coloratum polysaccharide improved the antioxidant capacity and vitality of Drosophila melanogaster and promoted their reproductive capacity in a dose-dependent manner.