Cognitive and Locomotor Behaviours of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) in Drosophila melanogaster Model of Alzheimer's Disease
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Abstract
AD is characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, amyloid buildup, and neurofibrillary tangles, but the underlying causes and mechanisms remain unclear. The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is a valuable model organism for studying complex biological processes and neurodegenerative diseases like AD. Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) is a nutrient-rich vegetable with various bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This study seeks to investigate the phytochemical profile and neuroprotective potential of C. pepo methanol leaf extract in mitigating the behavioral functions in Aβ-42 expressing Drosophila melanogaster, a model of Alzheimer’s disease. The bioactive compounds in C. pepo were identified through qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. Aβ-42-expressing Drosophila flies were treated with different concentrations of C. pepo extract (75.5 mg, 113.3 mg, and 151 mg), and their behavioral responses were compared to those of Donepezil-treated and GAL4 control groups using negative geotaxis, learning and memory retention assays. The extract was rich in Alkaloids (37.15±0.30g/mg), Steroids (28.42±1.17 g/mg), Flavonoids (23.62±0.57g/mg), AD flies exhibited significant motor and cognitive deficits, which were notably reversed upon treatment with C. pepo extract. The 75.5 mg of the extract has a significant increased ability to climb than the Aβ-42 dose demonstrated the highest efficacy, comparable to Donepezil, in restoring locomotor performance while the 113.3 mg of the extract has a significant increased learning ability than the Aβ-42, while the 75.5 mg, 113.3 mg and 151 mg of the extract have a significantly increase in memory ability than the Aβ-42. The methanol extract of Cucurbita pepo demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects in a Drosophila model of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammed, Lukeman Senusi, Bawa Yusuf Muhammad, Titilayo Oluwayemisi Bamidele, Mairiga Jamey Peters, Moses Zira Zaruwa, Abubakar Yahaya, Abdulkareem Idakwo, Ademu Muhammed Nafiu, Paul Joshua Omale (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Mohammed, Lukeman Senusi, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Bawa Yusuf Muhammad, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Titilayo Oluwayemisi Bamidele, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Mairiga Jamey Peters, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Moses Zira Zaruwa, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Abubakar Yahaya, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Abdulkareem Idakwo, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
Ademu Muhammed Nafiu, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.
Paul Joshua Omale, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Department of Medicine and Surgery,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
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