Effects of Danggui‐shaoyao‐san on Neuronal Damage in Parkinson's Disease Models

Abstract

Danggui-shaoyao-san (DSS) has long been used Korean multiherbal medicine for the treatment of gynecological and neuro-associated disease. Recent studies reported that DSS has neuroprotection by multiple bioactivities. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of DSS on the anti-inflammatory against neuronal damage in an in vitro and in vivo model of PD. In primary mesencephalic culture system, DSS attenuated the dopaminergic cell damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine toxicity, and it inhibited production of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α, nitric oxide, and activation of microglial cells. Then, we confirmed the effect of DSS in a mouse PD model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In the pole test, DSS at 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days showed increase of motor activity showing shortened time to turn and locomotor activity compared with the MPTP only treated mice. In addition, DSS significantly protected nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron from MPTP stress. Moreover, DSS showed inhibition of gliosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta. These results have therapeutic implications for DSS in the treatment of PD via anti-inflammatory effects. This study was supported by a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. (B120029).