Title:Effect of Polyherbal Drug Majun Falasfa on the Transgenic Drosophila
Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Volume: 7
Issue: 5
Author(s): Yasir Hasan Siddique*, Falaq Naz and Mohammad Rashid
Affiliation:
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh,India
Keywords:
Majun falasfa, unani, Drosophila, parkinson’s disease, oxidative stress, alpha synuclein.
Abstract: Aim: The effect of Majun Falasfa (MF) was studied on the transgenic Drosophila expressing
human alpha synuclein panneurally.
Background: MF is a Unani medicine used for enhancing mental power and treating kidney, joint
pains and urinary tract diseases. It is also used for phlegmatic diseases. It is also being used in age
related dementia and to counter the effects of ageing.
Methods: The equivalents of recommended dose for human were established for 20g of fly food
i.e. 0.0014, 0.0028, 0.0042 and 0.0056g per 20g of diet. The PD flies were allowed to feed on it for
24 days before studying its effect on cognitive and oxidative stress parameters. Immuno-histochemistry
was also performed to study the effect of MF on human alpha synuclein expression.
Results: The exposure to MF increased the life span and improved the activity of PD flies. MF delayed
the loss of climbing ability of PD flies. The exposure of PD flies to MF significantly reduced
the oxidative stress and improves the antioxidant enzymes homeostasis compared to unexposed PD
flies. The exposure to MF reduces the formation of Lewy bodies as is evident by immunohistochemistry.
Conclusion: MF is potent in reducing the PD (Parkinson’s disease) symptoms being mimicked in
the transgenic flies.
