Tea Polyphenols Enhance Embryonic Development and Mitigate DMSO-Induced Toxicity in Drosophila

Tea polyphenols (TPs), potent antioxidants found in tea, offer cellular protection and health benefits. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a widely used organic solvent in medicine, remains controversial due to its potential embryonic toxicity. This study explored the effects of TPs from oolong and black tea, DMSO exposure, and their combined treatment on embryonic development using a fruit fly model. TPs from oolong tea (rich in catechin and EGCG) and black tea (mainly catechin) promoted embryonic development, enhanced larval vitality, and improved oxidative stress resistance in adults. Catechin intervention mirrored the effects of TPs from oolong and black tea, while the effect of EGCG was sex-dependent. DMSO showed dose-dependent toxicity, with 1% concentrations disrupting organ development and preventing emergence. Notably, EGCG and oolong tea TPs supported normal organ formation. Furthermore, catechin and tea TPs alleviated 0.5% DMSO-induced damage, boosting larval vitality, adult locomotion, and body weight in males, while reducing oxidative stress.