Neuroprotective potential of Cordia dichotoma in Parkinson's syndrome induced by haloperidol: An animal study

Abstract

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the major neurodegenerative disorders and the prevalence is expected to increaseduring the next couple of decades. There is a need for safe and effective therapeutic regimen that can effectively manage this neurotoxicity. The leaves and several other parts ofCordia dichotomaare known to possess number of medicinal properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the neuroprotective role ofCordia dichotomain an experimental model of haloperidol-induced P.D. Materials and methodsFive groups of rats were randomly assigned into different groups. Intraperitoneal haloperidol 1 mg/kg was given to the inducer group and 0.5% CMC to the normal control. The reference standard was syndopa 10 mg/kg, p.o., and the test group animals receivedC. dichotoma'sethanolic extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg orally for one week. Rats exposed to haloperidol were assessed for behavioral, neurochemical, and histopathological parameters. ResultsC. dichotoma leaves extract dose-dependently increased behavioral activity and muscle coordination. The extract at 400 mg/kg was found to increase significantly (P < 0.001) the central square activity in open-field test, compared to haloperidol treated rats. In stepping test, both tested doses ofC. dichotoma(200 mg and 400 mg/kg) were found to significantly (P < 0.001) reduce akinesia, besides these doses also decreased the catatonic responses induced by haloperidol. Further, the extraction treatment (200 mg and 400 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) decreased malonaldehyde and increased antioxidant enzymes like catalase compared to the control group. Histopathological changes in the test group showed a significant reduction in haloperidol damage to normal morphology in cortical, hippocampus, substantia nigra, and pyramidal. ConclusionThe observations of the study suggest thatCordia dichotomaattenuated the haloperidol-induced neurological changes, indicating that the plant might benefit in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The activity ofCordia dichotomacould be linked to its antioxidant property. Since, the drug is traditionally used in different parts of world; it could be a promising agent if more research establishes its safety and efficacy in other experimental models of Parkinson’s Disease.