Ameliorative role of diets fortified with Curcumin in a Drosophila melanogaster model of aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity

Abstract

Aluminum is an environmental and industrial neurotoxicant known to induce oxidative damage and inflammation in tissues. Curcumin is a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated Curcumin’s protective role in Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3)-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster. A 21-day survival analysis was carried out and subsequently, flies were exposed to AlCl3 (100 and 200 mg/kg diet) and/or Curcumin (0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg diet) for 7 days. Curcumin restored AlCl3-induced inhibition of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase activities, as well as depletion of total thiol and glutathione contents. In addition, Curcumin ameliorated AlCl3-induced increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite levels in flies. Additionally, AlCl3-induced disruption of climbing activity and emergence rate were ameliorated by curcumin in D. melanogaster (p < 0.05). Overall, Curcumin ameliorated AlCl3-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster. Therefore, it can be regarded as a therapeutic agent against AlCl3-induced toxicity.

Keywords

• Curcumin-rich diets
• D. melanogaster
• Aluminum
• Oxidative stress
• Neurotoxicity