Curculigo pilosa (Schumach. & Thonn.) Engl rhizome protects against aluminum chloride - induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster model

Neurotoxic effect of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is mediated by pro-oxidants property, Curculigo pilosa rhizome has been reported for its anti-oxidant potential. This study evaluates the ameliorative potential of C. pilosa in AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity in Harwich strain of Drosophila melanogaster. C. pilosa rhizome was extracted with four solvents. The extracts were subjected to in vitro antioxidant assays using standard procedures. A 30-day survival assay was performed on the most potent extract (EECP) to determine the safe concentration. Flies were exposed to AlCl₃ and/or EECP for 7 days. Oxidative stress markers and mRNA expression of neurological genes were carried out using standard methods. Structural bioinformatics analysis was performed on the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and compounds from EECP using Blastp and Schrodinger suite. The results revealed that, EECP restored protein, thiol imbalance and glutathione peroxidase activity in AlCl₃-induced flies. There was non-significant (P > 0.05) down regulation in the tyrosine hydroxylase (PALE gene) and dopamine receptor genes of EECP exposed AlCl₃-induced flies. Phlorizon and curculigoside showed the best binding affinity and molecular dynamics simulation reveals stability of the hits at the binding domain for 100 ns. Overall, C. pilosa ameliorated AlCl₃-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster resulting from its free radical scavenging potential; therefore, the plant can be explore as therapeutic plant against AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity.