2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part B

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor impairment associated with the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) protein. Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster expressing the human α-syn A30P mutant exhibit age-dependent neuromuscular deficits, modeling key aspects of PD. B. monnieri (Brahmi) is a medicinal herb known for neuroprotective and nootropic effects. In this study, we investigated whether B. monnieri supplementation could ameliorate neuromuscular coordination deficits in an A30P α-syn Drosophila PD model. Transgenic flies were chronically fed with B. monnieri extract, and their motor performance was assessed via negative geotaxis (climbing) assays.

Results: B. monnieri-fed A30P α-syn flies showed significantly improved climbing ability and coordination compared to untreated transgenic controls. The treated flies exhibited a higher climbing index (greater percentage of flies successfully climbing above a set height within a given time) and delayed onset of locomotor decline. These findings indicate that B. monnieri exerts an ameliorative effect on PD-like motor deficits in flies. Our results suggest B.monnieri mitigates neuromuscular impairment in the A30P α-syn Drosophila model, likely through its neuroprotective and antioxidative properties. This highlights the potential of B. monnieri as a therapeutic supplement for alleviating motor symptoms associated with α-synucleinopathies.