Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus subnudus supplemented diets restore altered acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and improve antioxidant status in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model

Abstract

Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) and Lentinus subnudus (L. subnudus) have been used by the locals for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but with scant scientific sources. The aim of this study is to assess the neuroprotective properties of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus using transgenic Drosophila melanogaster flies (TDMF). The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), as well as the antioxidant status of TDMF raised on a diet supplemented with P. ostreatus and L. subnudus were determined. The flies were raised on a diet devoid of supplements or supplemented with P. ostreatus or L. subnudus (1% and 5% inclusion) for 7 days. Afterward, AChE and BChE activities, as well as catalase and total thiol level, were determined. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also determined in the flies raised on a diet devoid of supplement and on supplemented diets. Meanwhile, flies raised on P. ostreatus– and L. subnudus–supplemented diets exhibited a significant reduction in the activity of AChE and BChE in comparison with the controls. Also, supplemented diets significantly (p < 0.05) enhance catalase activity and improve total thiol level, while ROS and MDA levels were observed to be reduced in all the flies raised on the supplemented diets in comparison with the controls. In summary, reduction in the activity of AChE and BChE, as well as improved antioxidant status in TDMF, could be some of the mechanisms through which P. ostreatus and L. subnudus exhibit anti-AD properties. Nevertheless, L. subnudus exhibits a better neuroprotective effect than P. ostreatus.

Keywords:

• Acetylcholinesterase
• antioxidant
• butyrylcholinesterase
• L. subnudus
• P. ostreatus

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Odunayo M. Agunloye

Odunayo M. Agunloye, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Dr. O. M. Agunloye’s major research focus on Functional foods, nutraceuticals and Phytomedicine.

Ganiyu Oboh

Ganiyu Oboh, PhD, is a Professor of Biochemistry. His research central on Functional foods, nutraceuticals and Phytomedicine.

Ayodeji O. Falade

Ayodeji O. Falade, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria. Dr Falade’s major research areas include Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry.