Abstract:

In order to study the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris against ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative
damage in Drosophila melanogaster, fruit flies were radiated by UV and fed with Cordyceps militaris-supplemented medium
at different concentrations. We found that 0.4% Cordyceps militaris powder added to the medium could significantly
increase SOD activity (by up to 13.09%, P = 0.005 9) and decrease MDA content (by up to 17.11%, P = 0.003 2) in male
fruit flies irradiated by UV for 20 min and that the same effects were obtained for fruit flies with 40 min UV radiation, when
0.2% Cordyceps militaris powder added to the medium, showing an 8.99% in increase SOD activity (P = 0.006 6) and a
9.06% decrease in MDA content (P = 0.006 1). The antioxidant protection of Cordyceps militaris on male fruit flies was
better than on the female ones. Thus, the appropriate concentration of Cordyceps militaris powder was able to repair UV
irradiation-induced oxidative damage and played an anti-UV radiation role in fruit flies.

Key words: Cordyceps militaris, ultraviolet radiation, Drosophila melanogaster, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde