<i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. Rhizome Protect against MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation

• Main Authors: Marika Cordaro (Author), Ramona D'Amico (Author), Roberta Fusco (Author), Tiziana Genovese (Author), Alessio Filippo Peritore (Author), Enrico Gugliandolo (Author), Rosalia Crupi (Author), Davide Di Paola (Author), Livia Interdonato (Author), Daniela Impellizzeri (Author), Salvatore Cuzzocrea (Author), Rosanna Di Paola (Author), Rosalba Siracusa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antiox12010040; 2076-3921
• Keywords: redox balance; neuroinflammation; neurodegeneration; dietary supplement; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antioxidants, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 40 (2022)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a dopaminergic neuron-related neurodegenerative illness. Treatments exist that alleviate symptoms but have a variety of negative effects. Recent research has revealed that oxidative stress, along with neuroinflammation, is a major factor in the course of this disease. Therefore, the aim of our study was to observe for the first time the effects of a natural compound such as <i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. rhizome in an in vivo model of PD induced by neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). For the study, mice received four injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg) for the induction of PD. Starting 24 h after the first administration of MPTP we treated mice with <i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. rhizome (100 mg/kg) daily for seven days. Our findings clearly demonstrated that <i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. rhizome treatment decreases oxidative stress by activating redox balance enzymes such as Nrf2/HO-1. We also demonstrated that <i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. rhizome is capable of modulating inflammatory indicators involved in PD, such as IκB-α, NF-κB, GFAP and Iba1, thus reducing the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and motor and non-motor alterations. To summarize, <i>Actaea racemosa</i> L. rhizome, which is subject to fewer regulations than traditional medications, could be used as a dietary supplement to improve patients' brain health and could be a promising nutraceutical choice to slow the course and symptoms of PD.