Neurolocomotor Behavior and Oxidative Stress Markers of Thiazole and Thiazolidinedione Derivatives against Nauphoeta cinerea

Syagrus coronata fixed oil prevents rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster

One prominent aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the presence of elevated levels of free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Syagrus coronata (S. coronata), a palm tree, exhibits antioxidant activity attributed to its phytochemical composition, containing fatty acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential neuroprotective effects of S. coronata fixed oil against rotenone-induced toxicity using Drosophila melanogaster. Young Drosophila specimens (3-4 d old) were exposed to a diet supplemented with rotenone (50 µM) for 7 d with and without the inclusion of S. coronata fixed oil (0.2 mg/g diet). Data demonstrated that rotenone exposure resulted in significant locomotor impairment and increased mortality rates in flies. Further, rotenone administration reduced total thiol levels but elevated lipid peroxidation, iron (Fe) levels, and nitric oxide (NO) levels while decreasing the reduced capacity of mitochondria. Concomitant administration of S. coronata exhibited a protective effect against rotenone, as evidenced by a return to control levels of Fe, NO, and total thiols, lowered lipid peroxidation levels, reversed locomotor impairment, and enhanced % cell viability. Molecular docking of the oil lipidic components with antioxidant enzymes showed strong binding affinity to superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) enzymes. Overall, treatment with S. coronata fixed oil was found to prevent rotenone-induced movement disorders and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

Identification and Semi-quantification of Protozoa from the Digestive System Microbiota of the Lobster Cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea Oliver, 1789 (Insecta:Blattaria)

INTRODUCTION

The lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (N. cinerea) is indicated as a promising non-mammalian model, because it presents behavioral and biochemical alterations also observed in conventional models. In this research, we identified and characterized the distribution of protozoa that inhabit the digestive system (DS) of N. cinerea cockroaches.

METHODS

The adult specimens of N. cinerea used in this study (n = 32) were obtained at the Federal University of Santa Maria, dissected and had their visceral contents observed in bright-field microscopy without staining and after application of lugol, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, EA36 trichrome and simulated dark-field microscopy with application of nankin ink. The presence of protozoa in different portions of the DS was semi-quantified by a system of crosses (+).

RESULTS

The main taxa observed were: amoebas (Archaemebae:Entamoebida), gregarins (Apicomplexa:Eugregarinide), coccidia (Apicomplexa:Eucoccidiorida), kinetoplastids (Kinetoplastea:Kinetoplastida) and oxymonads (Preaxostyla:Oxymonadida). The highest prevalence of amoebas and gregarines was observed in the medial portion of the DS, while for the other groups, this was seen in the final portion, and in the case of coccidia, such prevalence was specially evidenced by the alcohol-acid coloration. In the present work, the great biological diversity that exists in the microbiota of the digestive system of Nauphoeta cinerea was demonstrated, being possible to find several pathogenic species for humans such as Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Cryptosporidium sp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis. There is still a lot to know about the interactions between endocommensal protozoa and their respective invertebrate hosts, so the best way to clarify such relationships is through molecular and genetic test.