Skip to Content
Merck
  • Standardized extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) markedly offsets rotenone-induced locomotor deficits, oxidative impairments and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Standardized extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) markedly offsets rotenone-induced locomotor deficits, oxidative impairments and neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Journal of food science and technology (2015-04-02)
M J Manjunath, Muralidhara
ABSTRACT

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, WS) or Indian ginseng possesses multiple pharmacological properties which are mainly attributed to the active constituents, withanolides. Despite its extensive usage as a memory enhancer and a nerve tonic, few attempts have been made to ascertain its usage in the management of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we investigated the neuroameliorative effects of WS in a rotenone (ROT) model of Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon-K). Initially, we ascertained the ability of WS-enriched diet (0-0.05 %) to protect against ROT induced lethality and locomotor phenotype in adult male flies. Further, employing a co-exposure paradigm, we investigated the propensity of WS to offset ROT-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions and neurotoxicity. WS conferred significant protection against ROT-induced lethality, while the survivor flies exhibited improved locomotor phenotype. Biochemical investigations revealed that ROT-induced oxidative stress was significantly diminished by WS enrichment. WS caused significant elevation in the levels of reduced GSH/non-protein thiols. Furthermore, the altered activity levels of succinate dehydrogenase, MTT, membrane bound enzymes viz., NADH-cytochrome-c reductase and succinate-cytochrome-c reductase were markedly restored to normalcy. Interestingly, ROT-induced perturbations in cholinergic function and depletion in dopamine levels were normalized by WS. Taken together these data suggests that the neuromodulatory effect of WS against ROT- induced neurotoxicity is probably mediated via suppression of oxidative stress and its potential to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunctions. Our further studies aim to understand the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms of WS and withanolides employing neuronal cell models.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
1-Ethoxypropane, AldrichCPR
Sigma-Aldrich
1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 97%
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, tested according to Ph. Eur.
Supelco
Hydrogen peroxide solution, ≥30%, for trace analysis
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, 34.5-36.5%
Sigma-Aldrich
1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, 30 % (w/w) in H2O, contains stabilizer
Sigma-Aldrich
2-Thiobarbituric acid, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Pentostatin, ≥95% (HPLC)
Millipore
Hydrogen peroxide solution, 3%, suitable for microbiology
Supelco
Hydrogen peroxide solution, 30 % (w/w), for ultratrace analysis
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, contains inhibitor, 30 wt. % in H2O, meets USP testing specifications
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, contains inhibitor, 30 wt. % in H2O, ACS reagent
Sigma-Aldrich
Hydrogen peroxide solution, 50 wt. % in H2O, stabilized
Sigma-Aldrich
Butyrylthiocholine iodide, puriss., ≥99.0% (AT)
Sigma-Aldrich
Butyrylthiocholine iodide, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Rotenone, ≥95%
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetylthiocholine iodide, ≥98% (TLC), powder or crystals
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetylthiocholine iodide, ≥99.0% (AT)
Supelco
Rotenone, PESTANAL®, analytical standard