Evaluation of oxidative stress mechanisms and the effects of phytotherapic extracts on Parkinson’s disease Drosophila PINK1B9 model

Oxidative stress is commonly observed in both idiopathic and genetic cases of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It plays an important role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and it has been associated with altered telomere length (TL). There is currently no cure for PD, and extracts of antioxidative plant, such as Mucuna pruriens and Withania somnifera, are commonly used in Ayurveda to treat patients with PD. In this study, we evaluated 2 enzymatic markers of oxidative stress, glutathione (GSH) system and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and TL in a Drosophila melanogaster model for PD [phosphatase and tensin homolog–induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)B9]. This evaluation was also performed after treatment with the phytoextracts. PINK1B9 mutants showed a decrease in GSH amount and SOD activity and unexpected longer telomeres compared with wild-type flies. M. pruriens treatment seemed to have a beneficial effect on the oxidative stress conditions. On the other hand, W. somnifera treatment did not show any improvements in the studied oxidative stress mechanisms and even seemed to favor the selection of flies with longer telomeres. In summary, our study suggests the importance of testing antioxidant phytoextracts in a PINK1B9 model to identify beneficial effects for PD.