Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by disabling motor abnormalities, which include tremor, muscle stiffness, paucity of voluntary movements, and postural instability. Silymarin (SM) or milk thistle extract, is known to own antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of SM, on 6-OHDA-induced motor-impairments (catalepsy and imbalance) in the rats. Experimental model of PD was induced by unilateral infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 8 μg/2 μl/rat) into the central region of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Catalepsy and motor coordination were assessed by using of bar test and rotarod respectively. The results showed a significant (p<0.001) increase in catalepsy of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats whereas; in SM (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, i.p for 5 days) treated hemi-parkinsonian rats catalepsy was decreased markedly (p<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant (p<0.001) increase in motor-imbalance of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. SM improved motor coordination significantly (p<0.001) in a dose dependent manner and increased motor balance. In conclusion, we found that short-term treatment with SM could improve 6-OHDA-induced catalepsy and motor imbalance in rats. We suggest that SM can be used as adjunctive therapy along with commonly used anti-parkinsonian drugs. However, further clinical trial studies should be carried out to prove this hypothesis.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system which affects more than 4 million people over age 60 worldwide.[1]
We investigated the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p) administration of SM, on 6-OHDA-induced motor-impairments in the rats
Effect of intra-substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) injection of 6-OHDA on Catalepsy Rats were divided into three groups: normal, sham operated and 6-OHDA (8 μg/2μl/rat)-injected group
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system which affects more than 4 million people over age 60 worldwide.[1]. Other characteristic symptoms include rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk, slow movement (bradykinesia) or the inability to move (akinesia), and impaired balance and coordination (postural instability).[3] These features occur when dopaminergic neurons in the SNc die or become impaired.[2,3] Normally, dopaminergic cells produce dopamine, which transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth physical movements. When these dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired, communication between the brain and muscles weakens, and eventually, the brain is unable to control muscle movement. It is well agreed that chronic neuro-inflammation has part in the pathogenesis of the disease.[5,6]
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