The neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera root extract in MPTP-intoxicated mice: An analysis of behavioral and biochemical varibles

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

Arumugam Krishnamurti¹  Thamilarasan Manivasagam²  Manickam Ramanathan³  Srinivasagam Raja Sankar¹ 

[1] Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Annamalai University Annamalainagar, , India$$;Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, India$$;Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, India$$

关键词: MPTP;    TBARS;    Antioxidants;    Behaviour;    Midbrain;   

DOI  :  10.2478/s11658-007-0015-0

学科分类：分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

来源: Uniwersytet Wroclawski * Wydzial Biotechnologii / University of Wroclaw, Faculty of Biotechnology

【 摘 要 】

We studied the influence of Withania somnifera (Ws) root extract (100 mg/kg body weight) on parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl 4-phenyl 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; i.p, 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 days), via the analysis of behavioral features and the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the midbrain of mice. A significant alteration in behavior, increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were noticed in this region of brain in MPTP-treated mice. Oral treatment with the root extract resulted in a significant improvement in the mice’s behavoiur and antioxidant status, along with a significant reduction in the level of lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that at least part of the chronic stress-induced pathology may be due to oxidative stress, which is mitigated by Ws. Further studies are needed to assess the precise mechanism to support the clinical use of the plant as an antiparkinsonic drug.

【 授权许可】

Unknown