Purple Carrot Extract Exhibits A Neuroprotective Profile In The Nigrostriatal Pathway In The Reserpine-Induced Model Of Parkinson's Disease

Ana Claudia Custódio-Silva; Jose Ivo Araújo Beserra-Filho; Beatriz Soares-Silva; Amanda Maria-Macêdo; Suellen Silva-Martins; Sara Pereira Silva; José Ronaldo Santos; Regina Helena Silva; Daniel Araki Ribeiro; Alessandra Mussi Ribeiro

doi:10.2174/0118715249260445231226112021

Purple Carrot Extract Exhibits A Neuroprotective Profile In The Nigrostriatal Pathway In The Reserpine-Induced Model Of Parkinson's Disease

Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2024 Jan 25. doi: 10.2174/0118715249260445231226112021. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil.
² Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal of Sergipe, Itabaiana, SE, Brazil.
³ Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

PMID: 38279716
DOI: 10.2174/0118715249260445231226112021

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway. Even with scientific and technological advances, the therapeutic approaches used for the treatment of PD have shown to be largely ineffective in controlling the progression of symptoms in the long term. There is a growing demand for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for PD treatment. Different herbs and supplements have been considered as adjuvant to treat the symptoms of Parkinsonism. The carrot is one of the most consumed vegetable species worldwide, and its root is known for its content of anthocyanins, which possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of purple carrot extract (CAR) in rats on the reserpine (RES)-induced progressive parkinsonism model.

Methods: Male rats (6-month-old) received orally the CAR (400 mg/kg) or vehicle and subcutaneously RES (0.01 mg/kg) or vehicle for 28 days (Preventive Phase). From the 29th day, rats received CAR or vehicle daily and RES (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle every other day (for 23 days, Protective phase). Behavioral tests were conducted throughout the treatment. Upon completion, the animals' brain were processed for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical assessment.

Results: Our results showed that the chronic treatment of CAR protected against motor disabilities, reducing the time of catalepsy behavior and decreasing the frequency of oral movements, possibly by preserving TH levels in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and SNpc.

Conclusion: CAR extract is effective to attenuate motor symptoms in rats associated with increased TH+ levels in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and SNpc, indicating the potential nutraceutical benefits of CAR extract in a progressive parkinsonism model induced by RES.

Keywords: Natural products; Parkinson's disease; neuroprotection and motor behavior.; nutraceutical.