Abstract

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE LEAVES OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA DUCH EX LAM ON DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER AGAINST ?ETA AMYLOID INDUCED NEURO TOXICITY

*Dr. K. Periyanayagam, K. G. Balasubramaniam, Gokila. S. Dr. P. A. T. Jagatheeswary, Dr.Mr.J.Suriakumar, Dr. R. Parameshwari

ABSTRACT

Objective: To prescreen the in vivo neuro protective activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Cucurbita maxima family Cucurbitaceae commonly called as Pumpkin, using the model organism ȕ-amyloid neuro toxicity induced Drosophila melanogaster. Method: The neuro protective effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of C.maxima (AECM) in vivo was evaluated on the transgenic Aȕ42 model of Drosophila melanogaster a novel model system for studying effects of Alzheimer disease by climbing assay, pseudopupil assay and nail polish imprint technique. Acute toxicity assessment, total flavonoid, phenolic content determination and DL-Methionine content by HPTLC were also performed. Results: Toxicity assessment using brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLA)of the AECM showed nontoxic upto LC50 1330ppm. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, protein and amino acid, tannin, saponin, carbohydrates, and absence of cyanogenetic glycosides, anthroquinone glycosides, cardiac glycosides, fixed, volatile oils and mucilage. Total phenolic content in terms of gallicacid was 18.2μg/g, Flavonoid content in terms of quercetin by aluminium chloride method was 21.6μg/g. The AECM of the leaves of C.maxima possesses potential in vivo neuro protective activity on Drosophila melanogaster against beta amyloid induced neuronal toxicity. Conclusion: C.maxima has long been recognized and economically is of appreciable importance as a source of edible aggregate fruit. This study indicates that the aqueous extract of the leaves of C.maxima possesses potential in vivo neuro protective activity on Drosophila melanogaster against beta amyloid induced neuronal death. It is assumed that this may be due to polyphenolic content, DL-Methionine. Further investigation requires confirming this activity.

Keywords: Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbitaceae, Neurooprotective, Drosophila melanogaster, DL-Methionine, Alzheimer disease.