Ethanol extract of Epipremnum aureum leaves attenuate intranigral-rotenone induced Parkinson’s disease in rats

Context: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor-symptoms attributed to profound (60 – 70%) neurodegeneration in the striatum and loss of dopamine thereof. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation are major contributors to neurodegenerative pathogenesis of PD. Epipremnum aureum is an ornamental plant found to possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aims: To evaluate the neuroprotective potential of ethanol extract of E. aureum (EEA) leaves against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Stereotaxic brain surgery was performed on day 1 and rotenone (ROT) was injected (300 µg/µL) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to induce PD in rats. EEA (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to ROT-treated rats for 28 consecutive days. Rearing behavior, ambulation, catalepsy and paw retraction test were performed on day 28. After behavioral tests, rats were sacrificed, whole-brain removed and TBARS, GSH and catalase activity was determined in brain homogenate. Results: ROT-treated rats showed a conspicuous increase in the catatonic score, paw retraction time and decline in the ambulatory score and rearing score that exhibited induction of PD in rats. The motor-symptoms triggered by rotenone were significantly reversed in EEA (250 and 500 mg/kg) treated animals. EEA treatment significantly attenuated the intranigral ROT induced rise in brain TBARS and a decline in GSH content and catalase activity. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that in the present model of PD, treatment with EEA mitigates the key symptoms (e.g. hypokinesia, rigidity and postural instability) through potent antioxidant activity.