ANTI-LIPID PEROXIDATIVE EFFECT OF AERIAL PARTS OF CYNODON DACTYLON IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
The rituals and traditions of India possess great significance with respect to health. Many Western countries get attracted towards the ancient traditions of India. Many plants are recommended as ‘sacred’ for worshiping. The phytochemical analyses of these plants by modern techniques reveal that these plants are rich in the components that impart beneficial effects on the health. Cynodon dactylon is one amongst such recommended sacred plants which grows as a weed on all types of soil. In the present investigations, this plant is used to study its effect on lipid peroxidation and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were divided into two groups as Control and Experimental. The control group was cultured on normal maize medium, whereas, the experimental group was grown on maize medium containing juice of aerial parts of Cynodon dactylon. There was significant decrease in lipid peroxidation in the flies that were cultured on the juice of aerial parts of Cynodon dactylon as compared to the control. There was significant rise in the longevity as compared to the control flies. The results indicate the potential role of aerial parts of Cynodon dactylon as an antioxidant and lifespan extending agent.