p-Coumaric acid potential in restoring neuromotor function and oxidative balance through the Parkin pathway in a Parkinson disease-like model in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT

p-Coumaric acid is a significant phenolic compound known for its potent antioxidant activity. Thus, this study investigated the effects of p-coumaric acid on the behavioral and neurochemical changes induced in Drosophila melanogaster by exposure to rotenone in a Parkinson disease (PD)-like model. The flies were divided into four groups and maintained for seven days on different diets a standard diet (control), a diet containing rotenone (500 µM), a control diet to which p-coumaric acid was added on the fourth day (0.3 µM), and a diet initially containing rotenone (500 µM) with p-coumaric acid added on the fourth day (0.3 µM). Exposure to p-coumaric acid ameliorated locomotor impairment and reduced mortality induced by rotenone. Moreover, p-coumaric acid normalized oxidative stress markers (ROS, TBARS, SOD, CAT, GST, and NPSH), mitigated oxidative damage, and reflected in the recovery of dopamine levels, AChE activity, and cellular viability post-rotenone exposure. Additionally, p-coumaric acid restored the immunoreactivity of Parkin and Nrf2. The results affirm that p-coumaric acid effectively mitigates PD-like model-induced damage, underscoring its antioxidant potency and potential neuroprotective effect.