Effectiveness of 7-chloro-4-(phenylselanyl) quinoline in improving learning, short-term memory, and anxiety-like behaviors in a mimetic model of Parkinson's disease in Drosophila melanogaster

Parkinson's disease (PD) presents symptoms based mainly on motor changes; however, psychomotor and non-motor manifestations, such as anxiety-like behavior, learning, and memory deficits, also have a relevant impact on the individual's quality of life. Recently, 7-chloro-4-(phenylselanyl) quinoline (4-PSQ) showed positive effects on motor and biochemical behavioral parameters in a model of PD, in Drosophila melanogaster. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 4-PSQ in the psychomotor and non-motor alterations in a mimetic model of PD induced by rotenone (ROT) in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies of both sexes with two days of age were used and divided into four groups: [1] control group, [2] 4-PSQ (25 mu M) group, [3] ROT (500 mu M) group, and [4] 4-PSQ (25 mu M) + ROT (500 mu M) group, exposed to a diet with ROT and/or 4-PSQ for seven days, according to each group. The open field and equilibrist test, aversive phototaxis suppression assay, light/dark exploration test, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were performed. The treatment with 4-PSQ was effective in reversing the ROT-induced deficits in flies, improving spontaneous locomotor activity, learning, memory, and anxiety-like behavior. And the 4-PSQ was able to prevent the increase in the AChE activity in the head and body of flies exposed to ROT. The treatment with 4-PSQ was effective in the prevention of psychomotor and non-motor deficits in this mimetic model of PD, with effects possibly related to its anticholinesterase activity, associated with the multi-target action of 4-PSQ.