Effect of alkaloid-rich extract from Eggplant (Solanum kumba) fruit peels on manganese-induced neurodegeneration in fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) Model

Abstract

 Eggplant fruits commonly called garden egg in Nigeria have been found to be rich in phytochemicals with various therapeutic properties, however little is known about the alkaloid constitute. This study sought to identify and investigate the effect of alkaloid-rich extract obtained from eggplant fruit peels and its biological activities on manganese-induced (MgCl₂) toxicity in fruit fly (Drosophila Melanogaster). Fruit flies were induced with (MgCl₂) and were subsequently treated, homogenised and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), in vivo reactive oxygen species and in-vitro antioxidants such as ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTs*) were determined, while the gas chromatography coupled with mass spectra (GC-MS)  was  used to analysed the alkaloid constitute in the peel. The results reveal that the alkaloid-rich extract (0.05-0.10mg/ml) diet had high antioxidant property which mop up the reactive oxygen species level generated in the fruit flies and also increased the life span of the fruit flies with 50% reduction in mortality rate with increased in locomotor performance. The diet also modulated the activity of AChE in all the alkaloid-rich treated flies. The GC-MS showed alkaloids with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and cholinergic activities. Conclusively, this study suggests that the eggplant peels diet could reduce neuronal stress.