BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is known by motor impairments. Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural active compound with potent antioxidant activity. The present study addresses the question whether BA affects motor dysfunctions, pain, anxiety and molecular changes in the rat model of PD.MethodsRight medial forebrain bundle (MFB) was lesioned by injection of 6-OHDA in Male Wistar rats. BA (0.5, 5 & 10 mg/kg) and L-dopa (20 mg/kg) were administrated for 7 days. rigidity, anxiety, analgesia and memory, were assessed by bar test, open-field, elevated plus-maze (EPM), tail-flick and shuttle box. Additionally, the malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Interleukin 10 (IL10) levels in the brain tissue were measured.ResultsTreatment with BA significantly reversed the 6-OHDA-induced motor complication in the bar test, but it modified anxiety like behavior neither in open-field nor in EPM, it only decreased the time spent in open arms. Moreover no significant changes were found in the tail-flick between treatment and sham groups. On the other hand, the level of MDA & IL10 were decreased, and the activity of GPx, levels of SOD & BDNF in the rats brains were increased.ConclusionOur results showed that BA could affect as a potent natural free radical scavenger which removes brain tissue oxidants in PD. It can account a possible promise as a good therapeutic agent for motor and non-motor complications in PD.
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