EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA ON ARSENIC-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Arsenic is a significant concern due to its environmental and health hazard. It is commonly found in the earth crusts and is released into the environment through both natural processes and human activities like mining. It is known to cause neurotoxicity leading to cognitive dysfunction and neurological disorders. Aframomum melegueta, a medicinal plant known for its rich antioxidant phytochemicals, has shown promise in mitigating oxidative stress and related pathologies. AIM This study explores the protective potential of Aframomum melegueta against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in the Drosophila model, focusing on biochemical and behavioral parameters, including oxidative stress markers, enzyme activities, and locomotor performance. Methods Drosophila melanogaster were divided into four groups, with 50 flies per group. The groups consisted of: (1) control group (normal diet), (2) arsenic group (500 µM arsenic), (3) Aframomum melegueta group (300 mg of Aframomum melegueta), and (4) combined treatment group (300 mg Aframomum melegueta + 500 µM arsenic). The flies were cultured for 21 days, and their survival was monitored daily. Behavioral assays, including negative geotaxis (locomotor) and exploratory activities, were performed on day 7. Biochemical analyses were conducted to assess oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, catalase activity, and total protein content. Results: The results revealed significant improvements in the lifespan, muscle integrity, and locomotor and exploratory activity in the Aframomum melegueta-treated groups compared to the arsenic-only group. Biochemical assays showed that Aframomum melegueta treatment reduced MDA levels (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and ACHE levels, and improved antioxidant enzyme activities, including GST, catalase, and total protein content. For the histology, Neuronal population are dense and deeply stained in the control and A.melegueta (AFM). Intoxication with arsenic resulted to severe cellular assault characterised by sparse neuronal population and lightly stained neurons. Treatment with A.melegueta (AFM) following chronic exposure to arsenic did not improve the Drosophila brain as the neuronal population and morphology show slight similarity to that of the arsenic. Conclusions and Recommendations: The study demonstrates that Aframomum melegueta possesses significant neuroprotective properties, enhancing survival, reducing oxidative damage, and restoring enzyme activities disrupted by arsenic exposure. The flavonoid fraction of Aframomum melegueta appears to offer a therapeutic avenue for combating arsenic-induced neurotoxicity. Future research should focus on isolating and characterizing the active components of Aframomum melegueta to better understand the mechanisms underlying its protective effects, which may aid in the development of natural therapeutic interventions for neurotoxicity.