TITLE:
Synergistic effect of Mucuna pruriens and Withania somnifera in a paraquat induced Parkinsonian mouse model
AUTHORS:
Jay Prakash, Satyndra Kumar Yadav, Shikha Chouhan, Satya Prakash, Surya Pratap Singh
KEYWORDS:
Withinia somnifera; Mucuna pruriens; Oxidative Stress; Tyrosine Hydroxylase; Parkinson’s Disease; Substantia nigra; Motor Dysfunctions
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.4 No.11A,
November
7,
2013
ABSTRACT: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the development of rigidity, resting tremors and
postural instability. Recently, the focus of PD’s treatment has shifted towards
herbal medicines. Mucuna pruriens (Mp) and Withania somnifera (Ws)
are traditional herbal medicines known to have neuro-protective effects due to
the L-DOPA present in Mp seed powder and withanoloides present in Ws root
extract. Here, the synergistic effect of Mp and
Ws in Parkinsonian mice induced by chronic exposure to paraquat was evaluated.
Co-treatment with Mp and Ws for 9 weeks, significantly decreased the elevated
nitrite levels and lipid peroxidation found in Parkinsonian mice. In
behavioural tests, Mp and Ws treated mice showed a significant decrease in the
time taken to cross a narrow beam, an increase in the time of stay on drum in
rotarod test and an improvement in the hanging time. Furthermore, it was
found that the use of Mp and Ws considerably improved the tyrosine
hydroxylase expression in the substantianigra region of the brain. The results
suggest that Mp and Ws may provide a platform for future drug discoveries
and novel treatment strategies for PD.