Evaluation of Traditional Medicines for Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Drosophila Models

Abstract

Drosophila is one of the oldest and most powerful genetic models and has led to novel insights into a variety of biological processes. Recently, Drosophila has emerged as a model system to study human diseases, including several important neurodegenerative diseases. Because of the genomic similarity between Drosophila and humans, Drosophila neurodegenerative disease models exhibit a variety of human-disease-like phenotypes, facilitating fast and cost-effective in vivo genetic modifier screening and drug evaluation. Using these models, many disease-associated genetic factors have been identified, leading to the identification of compelling drug candidates. Recently, the safety and efficacy of traditional medicines for human diseases have been evaluated in various animal disease models. Despite the advantages of the Drosophila model, its usage in the evaluation of traditional medicines is only nascent. Here, we introduce the Drosophila model for neurodegenerative diseases and some examples demonstrating the successful application of Drosophila models in the evaluation of traditional medicines.

<i>In Vivo</i> Screening of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Neuroprotective Activity against Aβ42 Cytotoxicity by Using <i>Drosophila</i> Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…8,15,16) Moreover, as Drosophila AD models show various and easily-quantifiable phenotypes, such as eye degeneration, developmental defects, shortened lifespan, locomotor defects, increased oxidative stress sensitivity, and learning and memory defects, they have been employed for finding genetic modifiers of AD-associated genes. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In addition, Drosophila AD models have been used to search and evaluate possible candidate drugs for AD.…”

“…6) Due to its complex etiology, a combination therapy including the use of medicinal plants with effective components has been proposed as an alternative choice for treatment of AD. 7,8) Chinese traditional medicine has employed a variety of herbs to treat dementia, and a number of neuroprotective agents were isolated from these herbs. 7,8) For example, Polygonum multiflorum (P. multiflorum; syn.…”

“…7,8) Chinese traditional medicine has employed a variety of herbs to treat dementia, and a number of neuroprotective agents were isolated from these herbs. 7,8) For example, Polygonum multiflorum (P. multiflorum; syn. Reynoutria multiflora) has been known as a tonic and antiaging agent in many remedies for centuries, and the use of its dried root to treat cognitive disorders including AD has been reported.…”

<i>Nardostachys jatamansi</i> Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Aβ42 Cytotoxicity

“…Using these AD model flies, many reagents with therapeutic potential, as well as genetic modifiers, have been identified 13,[22][23][24][25][26] .…”

“…Based on its physiological relevance and incorporation of advanced genetic tools, Drosophila has been used as a genetic model system for human diseases, including AD [11][12][13] .…”