Drosophila melanogaster as a model for studies related to the toxicity of lavender, ginger and copaiba essential oils

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 9; p. e0291242
• Main Authors: Bernardes, Lucas Matos Martins, Malta, Serena Mares, Rodrigues, Tamiris Sabrina, Covizzi, Luiz Fernando, Rosa, Rafael Borges, Justino, Allisson Benatti, Teixeira, Renata Roland, Espíndola, Foued Salmen, Oliveira Dos Santos, Débora, Vieira, Carlos Ueira, Vieira da Silva, Murilo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 28.09.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Analysis; Animals; Anti-inflammatory agents; Biology and Life Sciences; Brain; Chordata; Climbing; Drosophila; Drosophila melanogaster; Drug discovery; Drug dosages; Essences and essential oils; Essential oils; Food; Fruit flies; Genes; Genomes; Ginger; Health aspects; Inflammation; Insects; Laboratory animals; Lavandula - chemistry; Lavender oil; Life span; Medicine and Health Sciences; Modelling; Oils & fats; Oils, Volatile - chemistry; Oils, Volatile - toxicity; Plant Oils - chemistry; Plant Oils - toxicity; Properties; Research and Analysis Methods; Toxicity; Zingiber officinale - chemistry; Brazil
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291242

This study addresses the current trend of essential oils in alternative medicine using the non-chordate model Drosophila melanogaster. Following the three R's principles, it proposes non-chordate models to fill knowledge gaps on essential oil toxicity. Copaiba, lavender, and ginger essential oils are evaluated for effects on D. melanogaster lifespan, climbing ability, and brain structure, while their anti-inflammatory properties are also analyzed. Results show dose-related differences: higher concentrations (0.25% v/v) cause brain deterioration and impaired climbing, while lower concentrations (0.0625% v/v for copaiba and ginger; 0.125% for lavender) have no effect on climbing or brain structure. Lavender oil significantly extends lifespan and maintains anti-inflammatory activity when ingested, underscoring its therapeutic potential. These findings highlight the importance of D. melanogaster as a model for studying essential oil properties, potentially replacing chordate models. In addition, this research advances alternative remedies for currently incurable diseases, with lavender oil emerging as a promising candidate for drug discovery.