Garcinia kola seed biflavonoid fraction (Kolaviron), increases longevity and attenuates rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Rotenone, a naturally occurring and commonly used pesticide, has been established as a model for inducing Parkinson's Disease (PD) in rodents. Kolaviron is a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia kola seeds with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated the ameliorative role of Kolaviron on rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies for longevity study were exposed to Kolaviron (100-500mg/kg diet) throughout the lifespan. For biochemical study, Groups A, B and C flies were treated with ethanol (2.0%, control, vehicle), Kolaviron (200mg/kg diet) and rotenone (250μM) respectively. Flies in Group D were co-treated with both rotenone (250μM) and Kolaviron (200mg/kg diet) for 7days. Subsequently, selected markers of antioxidant status, inflammatory and neurotoxicity were evaluated in the flies. The results from longevity experiment showed that Kolaviron (200, 100, 300 and 400mg/kg) extended lifespan of flies by 38.2%, 20.6%, 11.8% and 2.9% respectively. Also, Kolaviron attenuated rotenone-induced inhibition of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities and depletion of total thiols content in flies. Moreover, Kolaviron prevented rotenone-induced increases in hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (nitrite and nitrate) levels and improved rotenone-induced decrease in locomotor performance of flies (p<0.05). Overall, this study evidenced for the first time, the lifespan extension property of Kolaviron and its chemoprotective role on rotenone-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.