Evaluation of anti-Parkinson’s activity of ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. In the present study was designed to evaluate anti-Parkinson’s activity of ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (EETP) leaves, family Asteraceae. The experimental paradigm included haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rat model and rotenone-induced locomotor impairment in the fruit fly. In the catalepsy model, the rats received treatment of EETP (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) followed by haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 15 days. The significant (P <0.05) reduction in muscle rigidity, catalepsy at EETP (100 mg/kg) while; improved locomotor activity was found with the EETP (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.). The catalase and reduced glutathione levels were found to be significantly (P <0.05) increased and decreased lipid peroxidation at EETP (100 and 200 mg/kg). In fruit fly model; rotenone (ROT) 500 μM co-exposed with EETP (0.05% w/v and 0.1% w/v) to flies for 7 days. Treatment with EETP (0.05 and 0.1% w/v) significantly (P <0.05) improved the performances of locomotor activity in flies when compared with ROT treated flies. Thus, the study proved that EETP treatment significantly attenuated motor defects and also protected the brain from oxidative stress.