Neurogrit Gold Alleviates Motor, Behavioural, and oxidative stress deficits in the MPTP-induced Drosophila melanogaster model of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain, primarily affecting the substantia nigra, while conventional treatments provide only symptomatic relief with adverse long-term effects. In contrast, herbal drugs exhibit multi-targeted neuroprotective properties, potentially addressing oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis with better tolerability. Present study explores the neuroprotective potential of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, Neurogrit Gold (NG) in a Drosophila melanogaster model of Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Phytometabolite profiling of NG by HPLC and GC-FID identified several phytometabolites and fatty acids, including Cordifolioside, Magnoflorine, and Palmatine, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid and γ-Linolenic acid. Present study demonstrated that NG enhanced climbing activity, improved cognition and food sensing behaviour in Drosophila exposed to MPTP. Additionally, NG prevented MPTP-induced phenotypic alterations and locomotory deficits in Drosophila larvae, as evidenced by increased larval volume and crawling activity. NG prevented MPTP-induced reduction in brain size of Drosophila larvae and prevented the impairment in their ability to locate food and preserved self-righting behaviour. Moreover, NG enhanced anti-oxidant defence mechanisms, indicated by increased GSH levels, SOD activity while suppressing ROS levels in Drosophila heads. These NG-mediated beneficial effects were found to be associated with modulation in gene expression of parkin, Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and Dopamine transporter (DAT). Collectively, this study provides preclinical evidence on the neuroprotective potential of Neurogrit Gold, positioning it as a promising natural candidate for further investigation in advanced animal models of Parkinson's disease.