Generation of Neurodegenerative phenotype using Drosophila melanogaster through paraquat treatment and an amelioration by Tinospora cordifolia (giloy)

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are non-curable for the modern world and mainly affecting the aged population across the globe. These diseases cause serious issues with compromised motor function and along with dementia. In the present study, we have explored the benefits of Tinospora cordifolia (giloy) against chemical-induced neurodegeneration in wild type Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R+) also known as fruit fly. We examined the biochemical properties of Tinospora cordifolia (giloy) through phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant activities of giloy were judged by in vitro methods like total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging assay against ascorbic acid as standard. We treated D. melanogaster with paraquat (PQ, 1.0mM and 2.0mM) for 24 and 48 h and after the treatment, neurodegeneration was evaluated through classical methods like locomotor assay and memory assay in fruit flies. Furthermore, we have also checked the impact of paraquat on the total survival of the flies to evaluat lonevity and we evident a significant amelioration in neurodegeneration due to co-treatment of Tinospora cordifolia as compared to paraquat-treated flies. We found an improved toal survival of D. melanogaster in PQ along with Tinospora cordifolia treated groups and evident a significant difference in locomotor as well as in memory assays. Conclusively, we may suggest that Tinospora cordifolia is having good phenolic content and free radical scavenging properties thereby D. melanogaster treated along with giloy exhibited reduced neurodegeneration and showed significant amelioration.