Comparative Effects of Extracts from Leaves of Horseradish Tree Species (Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala) on Memory Index, Monoamine Oxidase activity and Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA Expression in Paraquat‐induced Model of Parkinson s disease in Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster)

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPD is now understood to be a multi‐system brain condition affecting multiple non‐dopaminergic transmitter systems that grow more prominent as the disease develops. Recent epidemiological and experimental studies have connected pesticides, particularly paraquat, to Parkinson’s disease. Even though the horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera) is a very promising ethnobotanical plant with a wealth of medicinal applications, little is known about the bioactive qualities of alkaloid extracts from its leaves.MethodThis study investigated the comparative modulatory effects of alkaloid extracts of Moringa leaves on the survival rate of paraquat‐induced flies, as well as specific biochemical and genetic markers related to Parkinson’s disease in the heads of the fliesResultThe results showed that the alkaloid extract increased fly survivability (p <0.05). M. Stenopetala (50 mg/ml) extract reduced monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activity more than M. oleifera. Compared to the paraquat‐induced group, M. Stenopetala also increased the amounts of superoxide dismutase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, catalase, and total thiols. Gene expression data show that the induced group had lower levels of catalase and TH mRNA expression compared to the treated groups. It was shown that M. oleifera had a greater ameliorative impact than M. stenopetala on catalase mRNA expression, whereas M. stenopetala had a considerably greater ameliorative effect on TH mRNA expression than M. oleifera.ConclusionIn this research, paraquat‐induced fruit flies were treated with alkaloid extracts from Moringa leaves, and the results showed that the M. Stenopetala variety had a more effective therapeutic effect than M. oleifera.