Comparative study of Rivastigmine and Galantamine on the transgenic Drosophila model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is now becoming more prevalent in ageing populations worldwide. It is characterized as a progressive neurodegenerative disease most commonly associated with memory deficits and cognitive decline. The formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are important pathological markers of AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used to decrease the hydrolysis of acetylcholine released from presynaptic neurons. In the present study we have studied the effect of rivastigmine and galantamine (commonly used cholinesterase inhibitors) on the transgenic Drosophila model of AD expressing human Aβ-42 in the neurons. The effect of similar doses of rivastigmine and galantamine (i.e. 0.1,1 and 10mM) was studied on the climbing ability, lifespan, oxidative stress markers, caspase 9 and 3, acetylcholinesterase activity and on the formation of Aβ-42 aggregates. The results suggest that the rivastigmine is more potent in reducing the oxidative stress and improving climbing ability of AD flies. Galantamine is a more potent inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase compared to rivastigmine. Galantamine prevents the formation of Aβ-42 aggregates more effectively compared to rivastigmine. The present study gives a comparative account of the rivastigmine and galantamine on the efficacy. The effect of the drugs taking the same doses have been studied on the climbing ability, life span, oxidative stress markers, apoptotic markers, acetylcholinesterase activity and on the formation of Aβ-42 aggregates. The study has been performed on the transgenic Drosophila model of AD expressing human Aβ-42 in the neurons.