| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 44
| Issue : 6 | Page : 774-779 |
Piracetam and vinpocetine ameliorate rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats
Sawsan A Zaitone1, Dina M Abo-Elmatty2, Shimaa M Elshazly3
1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
2 Department of Biochemistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
3 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
Dina M Abo-Elmatty
Department of Biochemistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia
Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.103300
Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the nootropic drugs, piracetam (PIR) and vinpocetine (VIN), in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats.
Materials and Methods: Sixty male rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 rats each. The groups were administered vehicle, control (rotenone, 1.5 mg/kg/48 h/6 doses, s.c.), PIR (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and VIN (3 and 6 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The motor performance of the rats was evaluated by the open field and pole test. Striatal dopamine level, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed. Histopathological study of the substantia nigra was also done.
Results: Results showed that rotenone-treated rats exhibited bradykinesia and motor impairment in the open-field test. In addition, GSH level was decreased whereas MDA and TNF-α increased in striata of rotenone-treated rats as compared to vehicle-treated rats. Marked degeneration of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons and depletion of striatal dopamine was also observed in the rotenone-treated rats. Treatment with PIR or VIN significantly reversed the locomotor deficits and increased striatal dopamine level. Treatment with VIN significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the striatal level of MDA and GSH in comparison to rotenone group whereas TNF-α production was found to be significantly decreased in PIR group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: VIN and PIR exhibit neuroprotective activity in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism. Hence, these nootropic agents may be considered as possible candidates in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*
|
