Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of whole plant ethanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala in aluminium chloride induced Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease

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.