Dataset on Survival Response and mRNA Expression of Drosophila melanogaster Exposed to Aqueous Datura stramonium Leaf Extract

This dataset contains experimental data generated from a toxicological and molecular study designed to evaluate the biological effects of aqueous Datura stramonium leaf extract on Drosophila melanogaster. The dataset includes raw daily survival recordings for each experimental group, as well as relative mRNA expression levels of Eiger, Wingless, Dpp, and Glob1, normalized to a housekeeping gene.Adult Drosophila melanogaster (Harwich strain) (1–3 days old) of both sexes were obtained from the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and maintained under standardized laboratory conditions (12 h light : 12 h dark). Flies were randomly assigned into four experimental groups with three replicates each (30 flies per vial). The control group was fed a standard cornmeal diet, while the treatment groups received diets supplemented with 2000 mg, 4000 mg, and 8000 mg of Datura stramonium leaf extract, respectively. Survival was monitored daily, and dead flies were removed and recorded until the end of the experimental period. Food was replaced every four days to prevent contamination and nutritional degradation.For the gene expression analysis, adult flies were preserved in TRIzol reagent at the end of the exposure period. Total RNA was extracted using the TRIzol method, quantified spectrophotometrically, and used for cDNA synthesis. Semi-quantitative PCR was conducted to assess the expression levels of Eiger, Wingless, Dpp, and Glob1. GAPDH was employed as the housekeeping gene for normalization. Gene-specific primers were used, amplification was performed for 30 cycles, and PCR products were resolved on 1% agarose gel. Band intensities were quantified using ImageJ software to generate relative expression values.This dataset provides raw and processed data suitable for research in toxicology, stress response genetics, environmental health, molecular biology, and the study of plant-derived bioactive compounds using D. melanogaster as a model organism.