Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of whole plant ethanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala in aluminium chloride induced Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease
Paper Details
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of whole plant ethanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala in aluminium chloride induced Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory impairment and deficits in cognitive functions. Drosophila melanogaster, is used as a model organism owing to the genetic and cost-effective advantages. Aluminium exposure in Drosophila affects cognitive function and genes related with AD. Previous study from our lab indicated ethanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala. (OREE) explored the potent radical scavenging properties. Therefore, it was aimed to study the survival rate, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antioxidant and climbing activities of ethanolic extract of OR in an aluminium chloride induced flies. Flies were divided based on the survival rate into 4 groups, Group I – normal diet for 7 days; Group II – diet with 0.5 ml of AlCl3 in 100 ml of distilled water for 7 days; Group III – diet with AlCl3 as group II + OREE (1.0 %) for 7 days; Group IV – diet with OREE (1.0 %) for 7 days. This study demonstrated the reduced TBARS levels and anticholinesterase activities andenhanced survival rate, antioxidant and climbing activitiesof OREE suggesting its neuroprotective function. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the protective role of OREE on Aβ and tau proteins that are the hallmarks of AD in other animal models.
Abolaji AO, Olaiya CO, Oluwadahunsi OJ, Farombi EO. 2017. Dietary consumption of monosodium L-glutamate induces adaptive response and reduction in the life span of Drosophila melanogaster. Cell BiochemFunct 35(3), 164–170. DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3259
Adedayo BC, Ogunsuyi OB, Akinniyi ST, Oboh G. 2022. Effect of Andrographis paniculata and Phyllanthus amarus leaf extracts on biochemical indices in Drosophila melanogaster model of neurotoxicity. Drug Chem Toxicol 45(1), 407–416. DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2019.1708377
Alum EU. 2024. The role of indigenous knowledge in advancing the therapeutic use of medicinal plants: challenges and opportunities. Plant Signal Behav, 19(1), 2439255. DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2439255
Bhuyan B, Baruah S, Mehmud S. 2021. Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala (Rubiaceae) sp. nov. from Assam, India. Nord J Bot 39(3). DOI: 10.1111/njb.03048
Bu Q, Jin Y, Xu MJ, Wu L, Liang LF. 2022. Structurally diverse metabolites from the Ophiorrhiza japonica Bl. and their antioxidant activities in vitro and PPARα agonistic activities in silico. Molecules, 27(16), 5301. DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165301
Burger JM, Promislow DE. 2004. Sex-specific effects of interventions that extend fly life span. Sci Aging Knowledge Environ 2004(28), pe30. DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2004.28.pe30
Chauhan P, Wadhwa K, Singh G. 2024. Diverse models in Alzheimer’s research: exploring alternative approaches beyond traditional rodent frameworks. Aging Pathobiol. Ther. 6(4), 154–169.
Day J, Damsma G, Fibiger HC. 1991. Cholinergic activity in the rat hippocampus, cortex and striatum correlates with locomotor activity: an in vivo microdialysis study. PharmacolBiochem Behav 38(4), 723–729. DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(91)90211-O
Ellman GL. 1959. Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Arch Biochem Biophys 82(1), 70–77. DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(59)90046-7
Exley C. 2004. Aluminum in antiperspirants: more than just skin deep. Am J Med 117(12), 969–970. DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.06.028
Fonte V, Kapulkin WJ, Taft A, Fluet A, Friedman D, Link CD. 2002. Interaction of intracellular β amyloid peptide with chaperone proteins. PNAS 99(14), 9439–9444. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.152313999
Fortini ME, Skupski MP, Boguski MS, Hariharan IK. 2000. A survey of human disease gene counterparts in the Drosophila genome. Journal of Cell Biology 150(2), F23–F30. DOI: 10.1083/jcb.150.2.f23
Gustavsson A, Norton N, Fast T, Frölich L, Georges J, Holzapfel D. 2023. Global estimates on the number of persons across the Alzheimer’s disease continuum. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 19(2), 658–670. DOI: 10.1002/alz.12694
Habig WH, Pabst MJ, Jakoby WB. 1974. Glutathione S-transferases: the first enzymatic step in mercapturic acid formation. J Biol Chem 249(22), 7130–7139. DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9258(19)42083-8
Halmenschelager PT, da Rocha JB. 2019. Biochemical CuSO4 toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster depends on sex and developmental stage of exposure. Biol Trace Elem Res 189, 574–585. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1498-6
Hayyan M, Hashim MA, AlNashef IM. 2016. Superoxide ion: generation and chemical implications. Chem Rev 116(5), 3029–3085. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00407
Houghton PJ, Ren Y, Howes MJ. 2006. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plants and fungi. Nat Prod Rep 23(2), 181–199. DOI: 10.1039/B508966M
Kakkar P, Das B, Viswanathan PN. 1984. A modified spectrophotometric assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Indian J Biochem Biophys 21(2), 130–132.
Kani A, Subramanian P. 2021. Dose-dependent influences of vanillic acid on cognitive function and redox homeostasis status in N-nitrosodiethylamine treated Drosophila melanogaster. Inter J Curr Pharm Res, 85–92.
Kawahara M, Kato-Negishi M. 2011. Link between aluminum and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease: the integration of the aluminum and amyloid cascade hypotheses. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2011, 276393. DOI: 10.4061/2011/276393
Kijak E, Rosato E, Knapczyk K, Pyza E. 2014. Drosophila melanogaster as a model system of aluminum toxicity and aging. Insect Sci 21(2), 189–202. DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12073
Krishnan SA, Dileepkumar R, Nair AS, Oommen OV. 2014. Studies on neutralizing effect of Ophiorrhizamungos root extract against Daboia russelii venom. J Ethnopharmacol 151(1), 543–547. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.010
Kumar A, Singh A, Aggarwal A. 2017. Therapeutic potentials of herbal drugs for Alzheimer’s disease — An overview. Ind J Exp Biol 55, 63–73. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30183230
Lu B, Vogel H. 2009. Drosophila models of neurodegenerative diseases. Annu Rev Pathol 4(1), 315–342. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.3.121806.151529
Lushchak VI. 2012. Glutathione homeostasis and functions: potential targets for medical interventions. J Amino Acids 2012, 736837. DOI: 10.1155/2012/736837
Martins D, Nunez CV. 2015. Secondary metabolites from Rubiaceae species. Molecules 20(7), 13422–13495. DOI: 10.3390/molecules200713422
McGurk L, Berson A, Bonini NM. 2015. Drosophila as an in vivo model for human neurodegenerative disease. Genetics 201(2), 377–402. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.115.179457
Mesulam M, Guillozet A, Shaw P, Quinn B. 2002. Widely spread butyrylcholinesterase can hydrolyze acetylcholine in the normal and Alzheimer brain. Neurobiol Dis 9(1), 88–93. DOI: 10.1006/nbdi.2001.0462
Murray AP, Faraoni MB, Castro MJ, Alza NP, Cavallaro V. 2013. Natural AChE inhibitors from plants and their contribution to Alzheimer’s disease therapy. Curr Neuropharmacol 11(4), 388–413. DOI: 10.2174/1570159X11311040004
Nichols E, Steinmetz JD, Vollset SE, Fukutaki K, Chalek J, Abd-Allah F. 2022. Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Public Health 7(2), e105–e125. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00249-8
Niehaus Jr WG, Samuelsson B. 1968. Formation of malonaldehyde from phospholipid arachidonate during microsomal lipid peroxidation. Eur J Biochem 6(1), 126–130. DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1968.tb00428.x
Nitta Y, Sugie A. 2022. Studies of neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila and the development of novel approaches for their analysis. Fly 16(1), 275–298. DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2022.2087484
Oboh G, Oladun FL, Ademosun AO, Ogunsuyi OB. 2021. Anticholinesterase activity and antioxidant properties of Heinsia crinita and Pterocarpus soyauxii in Drosophila melanogaster. J Ayurveda Integr Med 12(2), 254–260. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2020.10.004
Ogunsuyi OB, Oboh G, Özek G, Göger F. 2021. Solanum vegetable-based diets improve impairments in memory, redox imbalance, and altered critical enzyme activities in Drosophila melanogaster. J Food Biochem 45(3), e13150. DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13150
Oyetayo BO, Abolaji AO, Fasae KD, Aderibigbe A. 2020. Ameliorative role of diets fortified with curcumin in a Drosophila melanogaster model of aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity. J Funct Foods 71, 104035. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104035
Pan Y, Wang X, Tan Q, Wang L. 2024. Effects and mechanisms of prussian blue nanozymes with multiple enzyme activities on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Tissue Cell 87, 102316. DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102316
Patočka J, Bajgar J. 1987. Aluminium activation and inhibition of human brain acetylcholinesterase in vitro. Inorg Chim Acta 135(2), 161–163.
Prabha G, Karuppusamy S. 2018. Phytochemical profile and radical scavenging activity of alcoholic extract of Ophiorrhiza radicans Gardner (Rubiaceae) – a rare plant of southern Western Ghats of India. Trends Biosci, 1572–1576.
Preethamol SN, Thoppil JE. 2022. Antioxidant potential and chemical composition of Ophiorrhiza jacobii: A promising medicinal plant endemic to Western Ghats. Indian J Pharma Sci 84(2), 407–414.
Prüßing K, Voigt A, Schulz JB. 2013. Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for Alzheimer’s disease. Mol Neurodegener 8, 35. DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-8-35
Rashid PT, Hossain MJ, Zahan MS, Hasan CM, Rashid MA, Al-Mansur MA. 2023. Chemico-pharmacological and computational studies of Ophiorrhiza fasciculata D. Don and Psychotria silhetensis Hook. f. focusing cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Heliyon 9(9)
Saliu JA, Olajuyin AM, Monday OO. 2024. Sercocephalous latifolius fruit attenuates aluminum chloride-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster via Drn1 regulation of the IMD signaling pathway. Pharmacol Res 11, 100437.
Schanzer IA. 2005. Three new species of Ophiorrhiza (Rubiaceae-Ophiorrhizeae) from Thailand. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) 33, 161–170.
Sibi CV, Dintu PK, Renjith R, Krishnaraj MV, Roja G, Satheeshkumar K. 2012. A new record of Ophiorrhiza trichocarpon Blume (Rubiaceae: Ophiorrhizeae) from Western Ghats, India: Another source plant of camptothecin. J Sci Res 4(2), 529–532. https://doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v4i2.9378
Sinha AK. 1972. Colorimetric assay of catalase. Anal Biochem 47(2), 389–394. DOI: 10.1016/0003-2697(72)90132-7
Tsintzas E, Niccoli T. 2024. Using Drosophila amyloid toxicity models to study Alzheimer’s disease. Ann Hum Genetics 88(5), 349–363. DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12405
Vidya V, Thenmozhi AJ, Surya R, Prema A, Manivasagam T. 2025. Phytochemical extraction, screening, GCMS analysis and antioxidant properties of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala. Pharmacog Res 17(3), 1050–1061. DOI: 10.5530/pres.20252230
Williams P, Sorribas A, Howes MJ. 2011. Natural products as a source of Alzheimer’s drug leads. Nat Prod Rep 28(1), 48–77. DOI: 10.1039/C0NP00027B
World Health Organization. 2019. Global health estimates: Life expectancy and leading causes of death and disability. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates
Zatta P, Ibn-Lkhayat-Idrissi M, Zambenedetti P, Kilyen M, Kiss T. 2002. In vivo and in vitro effects of aluminum on the activity of mouse brain acetylcholinesterase. Brain Res Bull 59(1), 41–45. DOI: 10.1016/S0361-9230(02)00829-8
Zatta P, Kiss T, Suwalsky M, Berthon G. 2002. Aluminium (III) as a promoter of cellular oxidation. Coord Chem Rev 228(2), 271–284. DOI: 10.1016/S0010-8545(02)00063-0
Venkatakrishnan Vidya, Asokan Prema, Thamilarasan Manivasagam, Pandiyan Subasri, Arokiasamy Justin Thenmozhi, 2025. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of whole plant ethanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala in aluminium chloride induced Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease. Int. J. Biosci., 27(6), 44-53.
Copyright © 2025 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.