Ting-Yi Chien
Shih Chien University, Taiwan
Title: Neuroprotective effects of Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium extract in Drosophila models of Huntington's disease
Biography
Biography: Ting-Yi Chien
Abstract
As the world aging rapidly, neurodegenerative diseases became one of the most serious age-related health problems. In south Asia, several medical foods have been used as an anti-aging remedy since ancient times. Cordyceps (Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium), a traditional tonic, has been reported with various pharmacological activities. In this study, we utilized Drosophila model system mimicking Huntington’s disease (HD) to exam the neuroprotective effects of the ethanol extraction of P. hepiali mycelium (PHE). These HD flies are expressing motor dysfunction and early death. Results demonstrated that diet containing 1 mg/mL PHE could significantly prolong the mean lifespan up to 31% of flies by compared to the control diet. It was also found that PHE could improve the locomotor activity of flies at the young age (4 days). Besides, oxidative stress plays a causal role in the neurodegenerative process. PHE exhibit antioxidative properties in a concentration-dependent manner by using the DPPH radical scavenging and ferric ions reducing power assay. These results indicated that supplementation with PHE improved movement performance and longevity might contribute by its neuroprotective antioxidants. We suggest that the PHE can be developed as a potential dietary supplement against neurodegenerative diseases such as HD