Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

To prescreen the in vivo neuro protective activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Solanum torvum family Solanaceae commonly called as Turkey berry, using the model organism β-amyloid neuro toxicity induced Drosophila melanogaster.

The neuro protective effect of the total alkaloidal extract of the leaves of S.torvum (TAEST) in vivo was evaluated on the transgenic Aβ42 model of Drosophila melanogaster a novel model system for studying effects of Alzheimer disease by climbing assay, pseudopupil assay and nail polish imprint technique. Acute toxicity assessment, total flavonoid, phenolic content determination and Solasodine content by HPTLC were also performed.

Toxicity assessment using brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLA) of the TAEST showed nontoxic up to LC50 400ppm. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, glycoside, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, protein and amino acid, tannin, saponin, carbohydrates, and absence of fixed, volatile oils and mucilage. Total phenolic content in terms of gallicacid was 3.5mg/g, Flavonoid content in terms of quercetin by aluminium chloride method was 22.8mg/g. The TAEST of the leaves of S.torvum possesses potential in vivo neuro protective activity on Drosophila melanogaster against beta amyloid induced neuronal toxicity.

S.torvum has long been recognized and economically is of appreciable importance as a source of edible aggregate fruit. This study indicates that the total alkaloid extract of the leaves of S.torvum possesses potential in vivo neuro protective activity on Drosophila melanogaster against beta amyloid induced neuronal death. It is assumed that this may be due to total glycoalkaloidal constituent of Solasodine. Further investigation requires confirming this activity.