title: Neuroprotective effects of piperine on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model.
abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is second only to Alzheimer's disease as the most common and debilitating age-associated neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, no therapy has been shown to unequivocally retard or arrest the progression of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of piperine on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6‑tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's mouse model. For MPTP treatment, the animals received repeated intraperitoneal injections (i.p.) of MPTP (30 mg/kg) solution for 7 days. Piperine (10 mg/kg) was administered orally for 15 days including 8 days of pretreatment. Motor behavior analysis was conducted with the rotarod test. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess the cognitive learning ability of the mice. A histological examination was subsequently conducted. The results ddemonstrate that piperine treatment attenuated MPTP-induced deficits in motor coordination and cognitive functioning. Piperine also prevented MPTP-induced decreases in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra. Additionally, piperine reduced the number of activated microglia, expression of cytokine IL-1β, and oxidative stress following MPTP treatment. An anti-apoptotic property of piperine was identified by maintaining the balance of Bcl-2/Bax. In conclusion, the results show that piperine exerts a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons via antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in an MPTP-induced mouse model of PD. Thus, piperine is a potential therapeutic treatment for PD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233004, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233004, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yu-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233004, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hong-Dang
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D052117:Benzodioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test / Q000379:methods; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; C008922:piperine