Synergistic effect of Mucuna pruriens and Withania somnifera in a paraquat induced Parkinsonian mouse model

Jay Prakash, Satyndra Kumar Yadav, Shikha Chouhan, Satya Prakash, Surya Pratap Singh

1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

DOI: 10.4236/abb.2013.411A2001                

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.

Keywords

Withinia somnifera; Mucuna pruriens; Oxidative Stress; Tyrosine Hydroxylase; Parkinson’s Disease; Substantia nigra; Motor Dysfunctions

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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