Nectandra acutifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez (Lauraceae) Reduces Oxidative Stress Induced with Rotenone in Drosophila melanogaster

The increase in the population of neurodegenerative diseases has made it necessary to search for new drugs and phytopharmaceuticals for the prevention or treatment of these diseases, which is why the exploration of the potential of the plants present in the coffee zone is of great importance. The objective of this study was to determine the possible neuroprotective effect of the species Nectandra acutifolia. The methanolic extract of Nectandra acutifolia was obtained through maceration of the aerial part of the leaves. The phytochemical profile was detected by means of thin layer chromatography. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity was carried out by means of the colorimetric techniques of DPPH• and ABTS•+. On the other hand, the total content of phenols and flavonoids was determined as well as the neuroprotective activity, by means of the negative geotaxis test and biochemical tests. Finally, the methanolic extract of N. acutifolia showed a high antioxidant capacity through the two colorimetric methods. The negative geotaxis test revealed that the concentration of 0.1% had a greater locomotor effect in D. melanogaster, which was used as a supplement in the feeding of the Drosophilas. The results showed that the methanolic extract of this species has neuroprotective activity using this in vivo model.