Withania somnifera showed neuroprotective effect and increased longevity in Drosophila Alzheimer’s disease model

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a unique neurodegenerative condition in humans that is characterized by amyloid beta accumulation in the brain parenchyma. Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a plant that has been used for centuries in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat various health conditions. The active compound in Ashwagandha has shown to be beneficial in treating several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study used a Drosophila melanogaster AD model to investigate the effect of Ashwagandha in reducing amyloid beta toxicity and promoting longevity. The findings showed that 20 mg/mL of Ashwagandha root powder effectively rescued the "rough eye phenotype" in AD Drosophila and increased longevity in both AD model and wild-type Drosophila. Overall, the results suggest that Ashwagandha may have potent therapeutic potential for treating AD and maintaining cellular well-being.