Brahmi Ghrita Exerts Nephroprotective Effects by Restoring Cytoskeletal Integrity and Ion Transport in Drosophila Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Abstract Background Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive cyst formation, epithelial disorganization, and impaired fluid transport, ultimately leading to renal failure. Disruption of cytoskeletal dynamics and epithelial polarity is central to PKD pathogenesis. Malpighian tubules (MTs) of Drosophila melanogaster serve as a conserved renal analog, and caspase-3/Drice–deficient flies exhibit a robust PKD-like tubular phenotype, providing a powerful in vivo model to investigate therapeutic interventions. Purpose This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of the Brahmi Ghrita (BG) in ameliorating PKD-like defects in Drosophila Drice mutants and elucidates the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Methods Drice mutant flies were reared with dietary BG supplementation, and developmental viability (pupation and eclosion) was assessed. Tubule morphology was analyzed by measuring cyst formation and tubule dimensions. Stellate cell (SC) number, shape, and nuclear size were quantified. Cytoskeletal organization and epithelial polarity were examined using F-actin and polarity markers. Molecular analyses included assessment of Rho1 signaling, Gelsolin, and Rho kinase (Rok) localization. Tubule physiology was evaluated by uric acid crystal deposition and Na□/K□-ATPase expression. Results BG supplementation significantly improved pupation and eclosion rates in Drice mutants and markedly reduced cystic dilation by restoring tubule width without altering developmental length. BG selectively increased stellate cell number and normalized aberrant morphology, while principal cell number remained unchanged. Cytoskeletal disorganization and polarity defects were rescued, accompanied by normalization of elevated Rho1 levels and restoration of the actin-severing protein Gelsolin. BG enhanced Na□/K□-ATPase expression and reduced uric acid accumulation, consistent with improved epithelial transport function. Additionally, BG promoted nuclear enrichment of Rok, indicating altered Rho-associated signaling dynamics. Conclusion Brahmi Ghrita confers nephroprotective effects in a genetic PKD model by coordinately restoring cytoskeletal integrity, epithelial polarity, and ion transport machinery. Rather than broadly suppressing Rho signaling, BG appears to rebalance the Rho1–Gelsolin axis and re-establish transport competency, culminating in structural and functional rescue. These findings provide mechanistic evidence supporting BG as a multi-target modulator of epithelial homeostasis in PKD-relevant contexts. Abstract Figure