Curcumin and Quercetin Ameliorates Reserpine-Induced Neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster Models

Reserpine has reportedly been used to induce neurotoxicity in animal models, including Drosophila melanogaster, and has been reported to cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, while Curcumin and quercetin have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The study investigated the effect of co-administration of curcumin and quercetin on the lifespan and exploratory/locomotory activities of Drosophila melanogaster flies; examined the muscular integrity of the Drosophila melanogaster larvae, and evaluated the antioxidant effect of co-administered curcumin and quercetin on oxidative stress following reserpine- induced neurotoxicity. The flies were distributed into four groups: Group 1 received normal corn meal diet, Group 2 received 100mg/kg of curcumin and quercetin, Group 3 received 5mg/kg of reserpine, while Group 4 received 5mg/kg of reserpine and 100mg/kg of curcumin and quercetin for 7 days. The antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase activity, and locomotor behavior of the flies were evaluated. Reserpine exposure caused significant reduction in antioxidant status, locomotor behavior impairment, and increased lipid peroxidation/acetylcholinesterase activity in the toxicant group. However, curcumin and quercetin improved significantly, the antioxidant status and behavioral deficits, and also decreased lipid peroxidation/acetylcholinesterase activities in the treated groups. Curcumin and quercetin co-administration showed potential therapeutic and antioxidant benefits against reserpine-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment.