Protective capacity of carotenoid trans-astaxanthin in rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Trans-astaxanthin (TA), a keto-carotenoid found in aquatic invertebrates, possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Rotenone is used to induce oxidative stress-mediated Parkinson’s disease (PD) in animals. We probed if TA would protect against rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Trans-astaxanthin (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 10, and 20 mg/10 g diet) and rotenone (0, 250 and 500 μM) were separately orally exposed to flies in the diet to evaluate longevity and survival rates, respectively. Consequently, we evaluated the ameliorative actions of TA (1.0 mg/10 g diet) on rotenone (500 μM)-induced toxicity in Drosophila after 7 days’ exposure. Additionally, we performed molecular docking of TA against selected pro-inflammatory protein targets. We observed that TA (0.5 and 1.0 mg/10 g diet) increased the lifespan of D. melanogaster by 36.36%. Moreover, TA (1.0 mg/10 g diet) ameliorated rotenone-mediated inhibition of Catalase, Glutathione-S-transferase and Acetylcholinesterase activities, and depletion of Total Thiols and Non-Protein Thiols contents. Trans-astaxanthin prevented behavioural dysfunction and accumulation of Hydrogen Peroxide, Malondialdehyde, Protein Carbonyls and Nitric Oxide in D. melanogaster (p < 0.05). Trans-astaxanthin showed higher docking scores against the pro-inflammatory protein targets evaluated than the standard inhibitors. Conclusively, the structural features of TA might have contributed to its protective actions against rotenone-induced toxicity.

Ethnopharmacological Effects of Urtica dioica, Matricaria chamomilla, and Murraya koenigii on Rotenone-Exposed D. melanogaster: An Attenuation of Cellular, Biochemical, and Organismal Markers

“…However, only one concentration, i.e., 0.1% per unit of the medium, was selected as the optimum concentration from the conclusive studies. Nevertheless, to evaluate the cellular and neurological protective properties of UD, MC, and MK, the concentration of rotenone (500 µM) used was selected based on our findings in Drosophila and those of other published studies [ 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

Ellagic acid mitigates rotenone‐induced damage via modulating mitochondria function in Drosophila melanogaster

“…[ 51 ] In line with our report, previous studies have described a reduced antioxidant capacity in flies exposed to rotenone. [ 17 ] But EA treatments increase thiol content and improve the activities of catalase and GST. Whitworth and Pallanck reported that increasing the activity of GST in flies rescues the dopaminergic neurons against insult in D. melanogaster .…”

“…The choice of the dose of rotenone used was based on the previous work from our laboratory. [ 17 ] Rotenone and EA were dissolved in absolute ethanol (0.2% of the diet). The groupings are listed below:…”

Carotenoids: Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases Remediation

“…Marine organisms are a major source of naturally occurring chemicals. Many of these chemicals have different structures from naturally occurring compounds that come from land [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Algae, which are classified as marine creatures, are one of the most important commodities found in the ocean [ 26 , 27 ].…”