Supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Improves Lifespan and Locomotor Activity in Paraquat-Sensitive DJ-1βΔ93Flies, a Parkinson's Disease Model in Drosophila melanogaster.
Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) consumed by humans and other animals because of its nutritional values and pharmacological properties. Apart from high protein contents, it also contains high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as carotenoids, β-carotene, phycocyanin, and phycocyanobilin, indicating its possible pharmaco-therapeutic utility. In the present study using DJ-1βΔ93flies, a Parkinson's disease model in Drosophila, we have demonstrated the therapeutic effect of spirulina and its active component C-phycocyanin (C-PC) in the improvement of lifespan and locomotor behavior. Our findings indicate that dietary supplementation of spirulina significantly improves the lifespan and locomotor activity of paraquat-fed DJ-1βΔ93flies. Furthermore, supplementation of spirulina and C-PC individually and independently reduced the cellular stress marked by deregulating the expression of heat shock protein 70 and Jun-N-terminal kinase signaling in DJ-1βΔ93flies. A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in spirulina-fed DJ-1βΔ93flies tends to indicate the involvement of antioxidant properties associated with spirulina in the modulation of stress-induced signaling and improvement in lifespan and locomotor activity in Drosophila DJ-1βΔ93flies. Our results suggest that antioxidant boosting properties of spirulina can be used as a nutritional supplement for improving the lifespan and locomotor behavior in Parkinson's disease.
a Genetics & Developmental Biology Laboratory , School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research , Gandhinagar , India.
Ajay
A
Kumar
a Genetics & Developmental Biology Laboratory , School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research , Gandhinagar , India.
Pearl K
PK
Christian
a Genetics & Developmental Biology Laboratory , School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research , Gandhinagar , India.
Komal
K
Panchal
b Department of Zoology , Regional Institute of Education (NCERT) , Mysore , India.
B R
BR
Guruprasad
a Genetics & Developmental Biology Laboratory , School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research , Gandhinagar , India.
Anand K
AK
Tiwari
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D006540:Herbicides; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010269:Paraquat; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D053545:Spirulina / Q000737:chemistry*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D006540:Herbicides; D010798:Phycocyanin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010269:Paraquat
C-phycocyanin; Drosophila melanogaster; Parkinson's disease; paraquat; reactive oxygen species; spirulina