Mitigating Paraquat-induced Neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis Elegans: Evaluating the Role of Plant Extracts

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of ten commonly used plant extracts against paraquat-induced neuronal damage, which could be beneficial for managing PD-like symptoms. The global surge in the use of paraquat herbicide has been linked to increased neurotoxicity among exposed populations and a growing incidence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the second most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative disorder. In response, holistic approaches leveraging plant extracts present a promising strategy for mitigating PD symptoms. The selected plant extracts included Ashwagandha, Noni, and Lemon. The neuroprotective effects of these extracts were assessed in the Caenorhabditis elegans strain BZ555, which expresses green fluorescent protein in its dopamine neurons, allowing visualization of dopaminergic damage. Among the tested extracts, Ashwagandha exhibited the highest neuroprotection (60%), followed by Noni (20%), while Lemon showed the lowest neuroprotective effect (10%). Paraquat alone caused the highest neurodegeneration at 80%. The findings not only pave the way for deeper mechanistic studies in higher organisms but also highlight the therapeutic promise of botanical neuroprotectants in combating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. The findings also highlight the potential of Ashwagandha as a potent neuroprotective agent against paraquat-induced toxicity. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate its therapeutic potential for neuroprotection.