Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) manifesting in motor, cognitive and behavioural anomalies. Experimental PD was induced by administration of rotenone, a neurotoxin which developed all the essential features of PD. PD is attributed to oxidative and inflammatory stress   and hence drugs targeting these pathways hold promise as neuro-therapeutics. Ocimum sanctum Linn (OS) has been shown to have antioxidant, antianxiety and anti-inflammatory properties and thus was tested for its neuroprotective effects. Twenty four male wistar rats were taken for the study and divided into four groups of six rats each. Group I is the vehicle treated. Group II, III and IV were treated with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/48hr/s.c) for 11 days. Group III & IV were treated with low (100mg/kg/p.o) and high (200 mg/kg/p.o) doses of OS daily for 11 days. The behavioural alterations were evaluated by the open field test, pole test and rotarod test. Biochemical changes were assayed by estimating MDA, GSH and SOD. Histopathological study of the substantia nigra (SN) was also done. Treatment with lower and high dose of OS reversed the locomotor deficits and biochemical alterations due to rotenone which were supported by histopathological studies. The present study exhibited neuroprotective activity in rotenone induced PD. Hence, Ocimum sanctum Linn. extract may be considered as possible candidate in the treatment of PD.

Keywords

Ocimum Sanctum Linn., Neuroprotective Effect, Rotenone, Parkinson’s Disease

Cite This Article

Mahmood, S., Sree Hari, Y., Naziya, B., Veeresh, B., & Madhav, R. B. (2014). Neuroprotective Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on Rotenone Induced Parkinsonism in Rats. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 3(1), 772-784.