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<i>Ixeris dentata</i> (Thunb) Nakai attenuates cognitive impairment in MPTP-treated mouse model of Parkinson's disease


Sung-Gyu Lee
Ki-Whan Kim
Hyun Kang

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the cognition-enhancing effect of Ixeris dentata (Thunb) Nakai in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Methods: MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced mouse model of PD was used to evaluate the effect of Ixeris dentata (IDE) extract on the alteration of behavioral responses using rotarod and passive avoidance tests. The effect of IDE on oxidative stress levels were analyzed based on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme levels, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in brain tissues.
Results: MPTP (20 mg/kg, ip)-induced mice resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) behavioral deficiencies in locomotor behavior (from 53.15 ± 1.01 to 23.56 ± 1.04) and cognitive functions (from 297 ± 2.47 to 201.17 ± 3.23 s) compared with their respective control groups. Administration of IDE (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, po) for three weeks significantly and dose-dependently improved (p < 0.001 at 80 mg/kg) locomotor and cognitive deficits in MPTP- treated mice. IDE treatment also significantly (p < 0.01 at 80 mg/kg) inhibited decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, and lipid peroxides in MPTP-treated mice in brain tissues.
Conclusion: IDE exhibits good protection against MPTP-induced behavioral deficits via potential antioxidant defense mechanisms. Therefore, IDE could potentially be developed as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: Ixeris dentata, Neurodegenerative disease, MPTP, Parkinson's disease, Oxidative stress


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996