Tenuigenin protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-mediated damage induced by the lipopolysaccharide.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). AIMS:To study if tenuigenin (TEN), the main active component of Polygala tenuifolia, can protect dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-mediated damage in vivo. METHODS:We observed the effects of TEN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced PD model by behavioral analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, etc. RESULTS:We showed that a single intranigral dose of LPSs (10 ?g) induced microglial activation, reduced the survival ratio of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in the SNpc and reduced dopamine (DA) content in the striatum. Treatment with 300 mg/kg TEN once per day over 14 weeks improved the survival rate of TH-ir neurons in the SNpc to 75%, on the non-injected side. Treatment with 200 or 300 mg/kg TEN once per day over 14 weeks significantly improved DA levels in the striatum to 73% and 81% on the non-injected side, respectively. The excessive production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? and interleukin (IL)-1?, was abolished by TEN administration. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that TEN may play a role in protecting dopaminergic neurons against inflammatory challenge.

SUBMITTER: Yuan HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6493587 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature