Effects of Five Ayurvedic Herbs on Locomotor Behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's Disease Model

Abstract

Current conventional treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) are aimed at symptom management, as there is currently no known cure or treatment that can slow down its progression. Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, uses a combination of herbs to combat the disease. Herbs commonly used for this purpose are Zandopa (containing Mucuna pruriens), Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica, Sida cordifolia and Bacopa monnieri. In this study, these herbs were tested for their potential ability to improve climbing ability of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) PD model based on loss of function of phosphatase and tensin-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1). Fruit flies were cultured on food containing individual herbs or herbal formulations, a combination of all five herbs, levodopa (positive control) or no treatment (negative control). Tests were performed in both PINK1 mutant flies and healthy wild-type (WT) flies. A significant improvement in climbing ability was observed in flies treated with B. monnieri compared with untreated PINK1 mutant flies. However, a significant decrease in climbing ability was observed in WT flies for the same herb. Centella asiatica also significantly decreased climbing ability in WT flies. No significant effects were observed with any of the other herbs in either PINK1 or WT flies compared with untreated flies.

Synergistic Effect of Watermelon Powder and <i>Lactococcus lactis</i> subsp <i>lactis</i> Supplemented Diet Partially Ameliorates A<i>β</i>42-Dependent Lifespan Shorten and Flight Impairment in Transgenic <i>Drosophila</i>

“…Also, Probiotic Dahi with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation alleviates age-oxidative stress and improves expression of biomarkers of aged mice [30] [31]. Similar reports have been represented for several other foods high in dietary antioxidants, including extracts of plant polyphenols [32]- [35], green tea catechins [36], black tea [37] and ayurvedic herbs [38]. These reports suggest that the protective effects of oriental medicine or probiotic Lactobacillus sp.…”

Quantitative NMR analysis of L‐Dopa in seeds from two varieties of Mucuna pruriens

“…This plant has a high enough content in L ‐ Dopa to warrant possible commercial production. In fact, M. pruriens is among the plants used in Ayurveda, India's ancient medical system to fight disease, including Parkinson's …”

Aqueous extract of tomato seeds attenuates rotenone‐induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

“…Drosophila represents a powerful model to obtain insights into the aetiology of various neurodegenerative diseases . Further, the fly system offers a convenient platform to test the efficacy of phytochemicals and pharmacological agents to abrogate neuropathological aberrations induced by chemical toxicants . In our laboratory, we have successfully utilised Drosophila to assess the neuroprotective efficacy of plant extracts employing model neurotoxicants such as rotenone …”