Neuroprotective effects of Danshensu in Parkinson's disease mouse model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

Behav Pharmacol. 2019 Feb;30(1):36-44. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000412.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) causes major changes in dopaminergic neurons of the brain, resulting in motor symptoms in older adults. A previous study showed that Danshensu alleviates the cognitive decline by attenuating neuroinflammation. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of Danshensu in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, MPTP, Danshensu at 15 mg/kg, and Danshensu at 60 mg/kg. The mice were administered Danshensu intragastrically for 14 days. In the behavioral tests, Danshensu treatment alleviated motor dysfunction induced by MPTP. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly reduced in the MPTP group, relative to the control group; Danshensu partially blocked this reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons. In addition, Danshensu attenuated the reductions in striatal dopamine and 5-HT levels induced by MPTP. Danshensu also diminished the increase in Iba1-positive cells in the substantia nigra and reduced the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in the striatum. These findings suggest that Danshensu exerts neuroprotective effects and improves motor function in PD mice, at least in part, by reducing neuroinflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Lactates / therapeutic use*
  • MPTP Poisoning / drug therapy*
  • MPTP Poisoning / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Rotarod Performance Test
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors / metabolism
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Lactates
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors
  • Serotonin
  • 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Dopamine