Effect of glutamate antagonists on nitric oxide production in rat brain following intrahippocampal injection

Antiparkinsonian activity of Cucurbita pepo seeds along with possible underlying mechanism

Cucurbita pepo is used as a vegetable in Pakistan and its seeds are also rich in tocopherol. Data showed the pivotal role of tocopherol in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The current study was designed to probe into the antiparkinson activity of methanolic extract of C. pepo (MECP) seeds in the haloperidol-induced Parkinson rat model. Behavioral studies showed improvement in motor functions. The increase in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels whereas the decreases in the malondialdehyde and nitrite levels were noted in a dose-dependent manner. Acetylcholine-esterase (AchE) activity was increased. Molecular docking results revealed significant binding interaction of selected phytoconstituents within an active site of target protein AchE (PDB ID: 4EY7). Furthermore, α-synuclein was up regulated with down regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β in the qRT-PCR study. Subsequently, ADMET results on the basis of structure to activity predictions in terms of pharmacokinetics and toxicity estimations show that selected phytochemicals exhibited moderately acceptable properties. These properties add knowledge towards the structural features which could improve the bioavailability of selected phytochemicals before moving towards the initial phase of the drug development. Our integrated drug discovery scheme concluded that C. pepo seeds could ameliorate symptoms of PD and may prove a lead remedy for the treatment of PD.

Brain targeting stealth lipomers of combined antiepileptic-anti-inflammatory drugs as alternative therapy for conventional anti-Parkinson's

This study presents an alternative therapy to conventional anti-Parkinson's treatment strategies; where motor and non-motor symptomatic complications are considered. Thus; providing sustainability, patient compliance, therapeutic safety and efficiency, based on triggering secretion of endogenous dopamine (DA). Exogenous DA has long been considered the best therapy, however, its poor blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, fluctuated plasma levels, and non-motor complications negligence, decreased response to therapy with time. Consequently; brain targeting Tween®80-coated pegylated lipomers were tailored for intravenous administration (IV) of L-Dopa, and two drugs of reported neuroprotective effect: lamotrigine (LTG) and tenoxicam (TX). Single-step nanoprecipitation method was used; for its reproducibility and ease of scaling-up. Formulation targeting and anti-PD efficiency was evaluated against marketed standards and L-Dopa. In-vitro and in-vivo pharmacokinetic and dynamic studies were carried out for setting optimization standards upon varying inter-components ratio. Results revealed that lipomers are, generally, significantly efficient in brain targeting compared to oral tablets. LTG-lipomers (LF20) showed the maximum anti-PD compared to its TX and L-Dopa analogues. Combining LTG and TX had synergistic effect; highlighting a new prescription for both drugs. Thus; offering a safe, targeted, and therapeutically efficient sustained dosage form, capable of mitigating PD risk and treating it though weekly administration. Hence; presenting a novel promising anti-neurodegenerative strategy; on employing various mechanisms that were previously achieved through additional therapeutic supplements.

Neuroprotective Effect of Juniperus communis on Chlorpromazine Induced Parkinson Disease in Animal Model

We evaluated anti-Parkinson’s activity of methanolic extract of Juniperus communis (MEJC) leaves in chlorpromazine (CPZ) induced experimental animal model. In this study effects of Juniperus communis (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) were studied using various behavior parameters like catalepsy (bar test), muscle rigidity (rotarod test), and locomotor activity (actophotometer) and its effect on neurochemical parameters (TBARS, GSH, nitrite, and total protein) in rats. The experiment was designed, by giving chlorpromazine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days to induce Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. Chlorpromazine significantly induced motor dysfunctions (catalepsy, muscle rigidity, and hypolocomotion) in a period of 21 days. The MEJC significantly (P<0.001) reduced catalepsy and muscle rigidity and significantly (P<0.001) increased locomotor activity in rats. The maximum reduction was observed on the 21st day at a dose of 200 mg/kg (i.p.). The MEJC extract also showed an increase in the level of reduced gutathione (GSH) (P<0.001) and total protein (P<0.001) and decreased the elevated levels of TBARS (P<0.001) and nitrite (P<0.001) preferably at a higher dose (200 mg/kg) as compared to chlorpromazine group. Thus the present study showed the neuroprotective effect of MEJC against CPZ induced Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms or anti-Parkinson’s activity.