UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a potent environmental stressor that induces oxidative damage and disrupts physiological functions through the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study investigated the protective effects of vanillic acid against UV-induced oxidative stress and behavioural impairments in Drosophila melanogaster. Adult wild-type flies were assigned to four groups: control, UV-treated, UV-treated plus vanillic acid, and vanillic acid alone. Vanillic acid was administered through the diet for 14 days, while UV exposure was applied daily for seven consecutive days. Behavioural performance was assessed using negative geotaxis, phototaxis, smell chemotaxis, taste chemotaxis, thermotaxis, and hygrotaxis assays. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. UV exposure significantly impaired locomotor and sensory behaviours and increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated TBARS and protein carbonyl levels and reduced SOD activity. Dietary supplementation with vanillic acid markedly improved behavioural responses in UV-treated flies, restoring phototactic, chemotactic, thermotactic, and hygrotactic performance towards control levels. Vanillic acid treatment also significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation while enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. Flies treated with vanillic acid alone exhibited behavioural and biochemical profiles comparable to those of the control group. These findings demonstrate that vanillic acid effectively attenuates UV-induced oxidative stress and associated neurobehavioural dysfunctions in D. melanogaster, highlighting its antioxidant and neuroprotective potential. The study supports the use of vanillic acid as a promising natural compound for mitigating oxidative stress–mediated physiological impairments.