Curb-AD: Effect of Fenchol-Based Treatments on Reduction of ETS-induced Neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's Disease Pathology

Overview

Objectives: According to the CDC, nearly 40 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, and 3.08 million middle/high school students use at least one tobacco product. Each year, nearly half a million Americans die prematurely of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) can occur through a combination of mainstream and sidestream smoke. ETS toxicity in the human body can have detrimental health effects, especially neurological, causing a 30% increase in likelihood of developing all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or vascular dementia. The purpose of this project is to study the effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) on neurotoxicity in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology using Drosophila Melanogaster, and build natural, eco-friendly treatments based on Fenchol as potential effect modifiers, proven using in-vivo and in-vitro analyses. Methods: Part1: 4 CurbADs that serve as protection against neurodegeneration were prepared using varying ratios of Ocimum basilicum, Eucalyptus globulus Labill, and Myristica, which are rich sources of Fenchol. Part2: Media was created using 2 concentrations of ETS. 11 testing groups were set up, across the 4 CurbAD treatments applied to the 2 media variations and 3 control groups. Part3: Testing was performed with Drosophila Melanogaster as model organism. The 4 tests performed were Locomotive Behavior Test, Response to Non-Volatile Chemicals Test, Morphological Changes Test, and Reactive Oxygen Species Test (upon Drosophila dissection). Results: After effects of ETS in D. Melanogaster and improvements by usage of CurbAD treatment were demonstrated. All CurbAD Versions proved to be effective in repairing neurological functions of D. Melanogaster that had been exposed to ETS toxicity. For Locomotive Behavior, all CurbAD versions exceeded the goal of 25% increase in number of flies reaching the target line. In Response to Non-Volatile Chemicals, ETS inhibited the ability of the flies to travel towards the sucrose end - all CurbAD versions exceeded goal of 25% increase in the distance traveled by the flies. In Morphological Changes test, ETS-induced effects were witnessed on the body of larva and decreased its growth, delaying the development of the fly. Maximum improvement and results closest to control group with no ETS was witnessed with CurbAD1, followed by CurbAD4, CurbAD2, and finally CurbAD3. Conclusions: CurbAD1 which contained equal parts of Ocimum basilicum, Eucalyptus globulus Labill, and Myristica was the leader in improving neurological abilities of D. Melanogaster that were exposed to ETS neurotoxicity.

Awards (1)

• Category Award: 3

Competition history

• CSEF 2023 Environmental Engineering · Entry S1123

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