Protective effect of luteolin on the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease

In the present study we have studied the effect of 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM of luteolin on the transgenic Drosophila expressing human alpha synuclein. The doses of luteolin were established in diet and the PD flies were allowed to feed on it for 24 days. After 24 days of exposure the flies were assayed for climbing assay, oxidative stress markers, caspase-3 & 9 activity and dopamine content. The immunohistochemistry was also performed on the brain sections for the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase. The exposure of luteolin showed a dose dependent delay in the loss of climbing ability and activity, reduction in oxidative stress markers, caspase-3&9 activities and results in an increase in the dopamine content. The results obtained for the immunohistochemistry also supports the protective role of luteolin against the damage of the dopaminergic neurons.

本研究探究了25、50、75及100 μM的木犀草素（luteolin）对表达人源α-突触核蛋白的转基因果蝇的作用效果。将木犀草素按上述浓度添加至基础饲料中，使帕金森病模型果蝇取食该饲料24天。暴露处理24天后，对果蝇进行攀爬实验、氧化应激标志物检测、胱天蛋白酶（caspase）-3与-9活性测定以及多巴胺（dopamine）含量检测。同时对果蝇脑组织切片开展免疫组织化学（immunohistochemistry）检测，以分析酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase）的活性。结果显示，木犀草素暴露呈现剂量依赖性效应：可延缓攀爬能力与活动能力的衰退，降低氧化应激标志物水平及胱天蛋白酶-3、-9的活性，并提升多巴胺含量。免疫组织化学检测结果亦证实，木犀草素对多巴胺能神经元（dopaminergic neurons）的损伤具有保护作用。