Neuroprotective potential of Beta vulgaris L. in Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate the neuroprotective role of Beta vulgaris in Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
PD was induced by administration of reserpine (5 mg/kg/day, i.p for 5 consecutive days), haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and tacrine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) in experimental animals. The symptoms of PD such as tremors, akinesia, rigidity, catalepsy, and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) were evaluated. Foot shock-induced aggression (FSIA) model was used to confirm anti-parkinsonian activity. The methanolic extract of Beta vulgaris (MEBV) was administered at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, p.o. The combination of L-dopa and carbidopa was used as a standard drug. Behavioral studies such as locomotor activity and grip strength were determined, and oxidative stress was evaluated in FSIA model in rat brain.


RESULTS
Pretreatment with MEBV (200 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced the intensity of muscular rigidity, duration of catalepsy, akinesia, the number of tremors, VCMs, and increase fighting behavior. The locomotor activity and grip strength were significantly increased by MEBV. In FSIA, the biochemical analysis of brain revealed the increased level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MEBV significantly reduced LPO level and restored the defensive antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in rat brain.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated the protective role of B. vulgaris against PD. The mechanism of protection may be due to augmentation of cellular antioxidants.
Department of Pharmacology, MVP Samaj's College of Pharmacy, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
Vandana S
VS
Nade
Department of Pharmacology, MVP Samaj's College of Pharmacy, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
Laxman A
LA
Kawale
Department of Pharmacology, MVP Samaj's College of Pharmacy, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
Shankar S
SS
Zambre
Department of Pharmacology, MVP Samaj's College of Pharmacy, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
Amit B
AB
Kapure
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000975:Antioxidants; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa
Beta vulgaris; Parkinson's disease; reserpine; tacrine