Introduction: Neuroinflammation may play as an important risk factor in progressive
degeneration of dopaminergic cells. Antioxidants have protective effects against free radicalsinduced
neural damage in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we examined the effects
of ellagic acid (EA) on locomotion and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in a rat model of PD
induced by 6-hydroxidopamine (6-OHDA).
Methods: 6-OHDA (16 μg/2 μl) was injected into the right medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in
MFB-lesioned rat’s brain. Sham group received vehicle instead of 6-OHDA. PD-model was
confirmed by rotational test using apomorphine injection. EA (50 mg/kg/2 ml, by gavages) was
administered in PD+EA group. One group of MFB-lesioned rats received pramipexole (PPX
2 mg/kg/2 ml, by gavages) as positive control group (PD+PPX group). Motor activity was
assessed by stride length and cylinder tests. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured in
both striatum and hippocampus tissues.
Results: MFB lesion caused significant reduction of stride-length (P<0.001) and also increased
the contralateral rotations (P<0.001) and score of the cylinder test (P<0.001). Use of 6-OHDA
to induce the PD significantly increased the levels of TNF-α (P<0.001) and IL-1β (P<0.001) in
MFB-lesioned rats. EA significantly restored all of the above parameters.
Discussion: EA can improve the motor impairments in the MFB-lesioned rats via reducing
the neuroinflammatory biomarkers and protect the brain against free radicals-induced neural
damage. The results suggest that EA can be helpful in management of PD treatment.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Clinical Neuroscience Received: 2014/10/26 | Accepted: 2015/03/28 | Published: 2015/04/1