Comparison the protective effects of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced model of parkinsonism in male rat with L-DOPA: A behavioral and histological evaluation

  Introduction: Parkinson´s disease(PD) is a common and progressive neuropathological disorder due to degeneration of neurodopaminergic system in substantianigra pars compacta. With regard to the role of free radicals and oxidative agents in PD, it seems that aqueous extract of propolis with antioxidant contents can prevent neural degeneration. In this study, neuroporotective effects of intrapritoneal(ip) injection of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis and L-DOPA were compared in an experimental model of PD.   Materials and Methods: In this study, forty male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: normal(N), lesioned(L), lesionedpropolis-treated 50,100mg/kg(L+propolis), lesioned L-DOPA-treated (L+LDOPA), propolis-pretreated and thenlesioned 50,100mg/kg(pretreatment+L) and sham-operated(SH) groups. The early PD model was induced by unilateral (left) intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA,4 µg/µl of saline-ascorbate). The pretreatment+L groups was received intra-peritoneal (ip) pretreatment of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis (AEP) (50,100mg/kg/daily) for 2 weeks before surgery. Two weeks after surgery, the treatment groups were received ip treatment of AEP(50,100 mg/kg/daily) and L-DOPA(10mg/kg/daily) respectively for two weeks. After two weeks treatment, the animals were tested for rotational behavior and the number of substantianigra pars compacta(SNC) neurons.   Results: Our results showed that the aqueous extract of Iranian propolis decrease the rotational behavior in treatment and pretreatment rats and attenuate the reduction of number of SNC neurons.  Conclusion: Our finding shows in experimental model of PD, intra-peritoneal administration of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis has remarkably protective effects against 6-OHDA toxicity