Quinoa extract restored behavioral damage and neurotoxicity induced by a Parkinson's disease-like model in Drosophila melanogaster.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons caused by several factors, including oxidative stress. Quinoa has an important source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. In this work, the action of quinoa extract (alcoholic) on locomotor damage and rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster was evaluated. Male and female fruit flies from 1 to 4 days old were exposed to a diet containing rotenone and/or quinoa extract for 7 days. Analyses of survival percentage, negative geotaxis, open field, memory, and food consumption were performed in vivo. After the behavioral tests, dopamine levels, tyrosine hydroxylase and AChE activities, and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated. Our results show that the exposure of flies to quinoa extract protected against mortality, locomotor impairment, and memory deficit induced by rotenone. Furthermore, quinoa extract restored dopamine levels, tyrosine hydroxylase and AChE activities, and oxidative stress indicators (ROS, TBARS, CAT, and SOD) after exposure to rotenone. The results suggest that the protective effect of quinoa extract in a model such as PD in Drosophila melanogaster may be related to its antioxidant potential and its ability to modulate enzymes.