Antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of rutin in aluminum chloride-exposed Drosophila melanogaster

Aluminum (Al) toxicity has been associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Since current medications for AD and Al-related toxicity are reported to have significant side effects, the search for therapeutic agents possessing antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential is ongoing. One such agent is rutin, a flavonoid, reported for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the activity of rutin in mitigating Al chloride (AlCl₃) toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were divided into six groups containing fifty (50) flies each. Group A served as the control; Group B received 40 mM AlCl₃; Groups C and D were co-treated with 40 mM AlCl₃ + 0.5 mg/kg rutin and 40 mM AlCl₃ + 1 mg/kg, respectively; Groups E and F were treated with rutin alone in doses of 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, respectively, all through their diet. Negative geotaxis, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were evaluated at the end of the study. A marked decrease (P < 0.05) was noticed in survival rate, negative geotaxis, and SOD as well as a significant increase in MDA and AChE in the AlCl₃-exposed flies when compared to the control. Conversely, in the groups co-treated with rutin, there was a significant attenuation of the negative effects of AlCl₃. Taken together, these findings suggest that rutin protected against AlCl₃, thus indicating the possible therapeutic effects of rutin against aluminum toxicity and its related disorders.