Neuroprotective Effect of Centella asiatica Leaf Alkaloid Extract on Enzymes Linked with Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease in Drosophila melanogaster
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51459/jostir.2025.1.Special-Issue.053Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease, Drosophila melanogaster, Centella asiatica, Dietary supplementation, Acetylcholinesterase, ButyrylcholinesteraseAbstract
The neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is linked with a depletion of the nerve cells (cholinergic neurons) that utilize Acetylcholine for the transmission of signals in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain is the major target in AD’s treatment. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of dietary supplementation with Centella asiatica leaf alkaloid extract on enzymes linked with Aluminium-induced AD in Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. Alkaloid extract was prepared by extraction method and 10 mg/ml of the extract was used for the experiment. Flies were induced with Alzheimer’s disease by adding 40 mM of Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) to their diet, after which the flies were treated for seven days using a diet supplemented with alkaloid extract of Centella asiatica leaf. The mortality record of the flies was taken daily and their locomotor performance was measured on Day 7. The flies were thereafter homogenized and assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities. Results did not show a significant difference (P<0.05) in the rate of survival and locomotor performance of induced flies treated with the extract and induced flies treated with the standard drug, Donepezil, when compared with the control. Also, activities of the enzymes (AChE and BChE) linked with Alzheimer’s disease were reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the group treated with the extract and in the group treated with Donepezil, when compared to the control. This study therefore suggests that alkaloid extract of Centella asiatica leaf have neuroprotective effect on the enzymes linked with aluminium-induced Alzheimer’s disease in D. melanogaster.
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