Dietary Supplementation of Walnut Partially Reverses 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine Induced Neurodegeneration in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

Neurochem Res. 2015 Jun;40(6):1283-93. doi: 10.1007/s11064-015-1593-2. Epub 2015 May 6.

Abstract

Numerous studies indicating that natural plant sources and their active phytochemicals offer protection to the pathological processes related to the development of neurogenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, the neuro protective efficacy of dietary supplementation of walnut (6 %) for 28 days was examined in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (i.p., 20 mg/kg body weight/day) for last four consecutive days. MPTP injection diminished the levels of GSH, dopamine and metabolites along with decreased activities of GPx and mitochondrial complex I. Further, the levels of TBARS and enzymatic antioxidants such as SOD and catalase, MAO-B activities were enhanced by MPTP treatment. Behavioral deficits and lowered TH expression are also proved MPTP induced neurotoxicity. Dietary supplementation of walnut attenuated MPTP-induced impairment in PD mice might be by its MAO-B inhibitory, antioxidant and mitochondrial protective actions. To find out the exact mechanism of action walnut on PD mice warrants further extensive studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex I / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Juglans / chemistry*
  • MPTP Poisoning / drug therapy*
  • MPTP Poisoning / psychology
  • Mice
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / psychology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Electron Transport Complex I
  • Glutathione
  • Dopamine